Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding the structure of table-type dolmens using numerical analysis

  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Computer-aided methods are used extensively to analyze archaeological images. This data can then be used to make mappings and provide greater structural understanding of archaeological objects of interest. This paper details a numerical analysis of a typical Korean dolmen, performed in order to enhance our understanding of its structure in terms of force/pressure, strain/stress, and fatigue damage. The advanced engineering tools “ABAQUS” and “Nastran” are employed to analyze force/pressure, deformation/strain/stress relations, and the overall distribution of stress and damage, respectively. This structural analysis was performed for various geometrical configurations such as offset distances of the top stone, inclined angles of the supporting stones, and varying shapes of dolmens. This analysis shows that dolmens having vertically-erected supporting stones are most stable. With the help of this parametric study using idealized models, two real existing models were applied to analyze and predict damage to the table-type dolmens. The accuracy of the numerical predictions shows that this kind of analysis has great potential to be the method of choice for structural understanding of such objects. If run in parallel with the sensing techniques currently used, it could greatly aid in the conservation of archaeological objects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H. Lorenzo and P. Arias, A methodology for rapid archaeological site documentation using ground-penetrating radar and terrestrial photogrammetry, Geoarchaeology, 20 (2005) 521–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. G. Catanzariti, G. McIntosh and A. M. Monge Soares, E. Díaz-Martínez, P. Kresten and M. L. Osete, Archaeomagnetic dating of a vitrified wall at the Late Bronze Age set-tlement of Misericordia, Journal of Archaeological Science, 35 (2008) 1399–1407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Y. Lee, A study in the Dolmen society in Korea (in Korean), Seoul, Korea (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  4. M. Ha, A study on stone cutting and cap-stone conveyance in constructing Dolmen, Paek-San Hakpo, 79 (2007) 27–48.

    Google Scholar 

  5. G. Daurelio, S. E. Andriani, I. M. Catalano and A. Albanese, Laser recleaning of a Bronze Age prehistoric dolmen, Proc. SPIE, 6346, XVI International Symposium on Gas Flow, Chemical Lasers, and High-Power Lasers (2006) 634635.

    Google Scholar 

  6. S. Pilecki and A. Levi, Evaluation of surface crack-depth in marble historical monuments with ultrasonic methods, Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Non-Distructive Testing in Conservation of Works of Art, (Associazione Italiana Prove Non Distruttive and Istituto Centrale Per Il Restauro, Rome, 1983) I/22.1–I/22.8.

    Google Scholar 

  7. L. Valdeón, M. Montoto, L. Calleja, R. M. Esbert, N. Corral and T. López, A method to assess spatial coordinates in art and archaeological objects: application of tomography to a dolmen, Journal of Archaeological Science, 24 (1997) 337–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. L. Calleja, B. Montoto, B. Perez Garcia, L. M. Suarez Del Rio, A. Martinez Hernando and B. Menendez Villar, An ultrasonic method to analyse the progress of weathering during cyclic salt crystallization laboratory tests, The conservation of monuments in the Mediterranean Basin, ed. by F. Zezza, (Grafo Edizioni, Bari, Italy, 1989) 313–318.

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. L. Ramirez and R. J. Lytle, Investigation of fracture flow paths using alterant geophysical tomograph, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 23 (1986) 165–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. K. Challis and A. J. Howard, A review of trends within archaeological remote sensing in alluvial environments, Archaeological Prospection, 13 (2006) 231–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. P. M. S. Romão and A. Rattazzi, Study of lichens’ colonization on Tapadao and Zambujeiro dolmens (Southern Portugal), International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 37 (1996) 23–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. P. Dias, G. Campos, V. Santos, R. Casaleiro, R. Seco and B. Sousa Santos, 3D Reconstruction and Auralization of the “Painted Dolmen” of Antelas”, In Proceedings of the Electronic Imaging 2008 conference, SPIE 6805 (2008) 6805OY.

    Google Scholar 

  13. M. Díaz-Andreu, C. Brooke, M. Rainsbury and N. Rosser, The spiral that vanished: the application of non-contact recording techniques to an elusive rock art motif at Castlerigg stone circle in Cumbria, Journal of archaeological science, 33 (2006) 1580–1587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. V. Navarro, L. E. Romera, Á. Yustres and M. Candel, Mobilization analysis of the dolmen of Dombate (Northwest Spain), Engineering Geology, 100 (2008) 59–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. D. Papastamatiou and L. Psycharis, A numerical perspective developed at the temple of Apollo in Bassae. Greece, Terra Nova, 5 (1993) 591–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. M. Ha, A study on carrying the cap-stone of Dolemen, Journal of Korean Ancient Historical Society, 34 (2001) 53–80.

    Google Scholar 

  17. R. Kliukas, R. Kačianauskas and A. Jaras, A monument of historical heritage — Vilnius archcathedral belfry: The dynamic investigation, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 14 (2008) 139–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. O. C. Zienkiewicz and R. L. Taylor, The finite element method, McGraw-Hill Book Company Limited, London (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  19. K. J. Bathe, Finite element procedure, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA (1996) 780–782.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of history, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, 143-747, Korea

    Moonsik Ha

  2. Multi-phenomena CFD ERC, Sogang University, Shinsu-dong 1, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 121-742, Korea

    Jung Hee Lee

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering — Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49930, USA

    Chang Kyoung Choi

  4. Energy Plant Research Division, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials/, 104 Sinseongno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-343, Korea

    Jae Hyung Kim

  5. School of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 156-756, Korea

    Young Ki Choi

Authors
  1. Moonsik Ha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jung Hee Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chang Kyoung Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jae Hyung Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Young Ki Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Young Ki Choi.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Heung Soo Kim

Moonsik Ha is currently a professor in the Department of History, College of Liberal Arts, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea. He received his Ph.D. from Soongsil University, Korea in February 1997. His research interests include Archeology of East-North Asia and megalith cultures.

Jung Hee Lee is currently a research professor in Multi-phenomena CFD ERC, Sogang university, Seoul, Korea. He received a Ph.D. from Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea, in February 1999. His research interests are multiphysics, fluid-structure interaction, and free surface flow.

Chang Kyoung (CK) Choi is a professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI. He graduated at the University of TN-Knoxville in 2007. His research areas are micro-scale heat & mass transfer, fabrication, cellular sensing, and microscopic optical visualization.

Jae hyung Kim is currently a senior researcher in the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials, Dajeon, Korea. He received his Ph.D. from Seoul University, Seoul, Korea, in February 2009. His research interests are multi-physics, the equipment qualification of nuclear power facilities.

Young Ki Choi is currently a Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea. He received his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley in 1986. His research areas are numerical analysis of the heat transfer and heat transfer in micro-nano systems.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ha, M., Lee, J.H., Choi, C.K. et al. Understanding the structure of table-type dolmens using numerical analysis. J Mech Sci Technol 28, 1789–1795 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0325-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0325-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation