Fujita Lab. : Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo.

Members of Fujita Laboratory investigate the structures, especially seismic performance, of historic timber architecture.

Investigation

We investigate existing literature on the natural disasters in the past and the history of repair of historic timber architecture, in order to reveal the damage by past natural hazards. We also investigate the chronological change in structural elements such as joints, structural walls and brackets in order to discuss the evaluation in the morphology of timber structural elements. We conduct onsite investigation to understand the structural performance of historic timber structures in Japan as well as other countries.

Structural Performance evaluation of the two Main Halls of Kencho-ji temple, Kamakura

Experiment

We operate structural experiments on elements as well as the total structure. We have been monitoring earthquake and ambient vibration of many types of historic architecture including five storied pagodas, Buddhist temple halls and residential timber houses.

Shaking table test of Brackets

Earthquake monitoring at Tsukanon Five storied pagoda in Tsu, Mie

Analysis and Discussion

Structural performance evaluation based on the actual monitored data is conducted and the results compared with those by experiment. We have study meetings with timber engineers and academics to discuss and exchange information.

Development

We develop, design and construct structural reinforcement devices for historic/existing timber architecture. We aim to develop structurally rational, aesthetically allowable, easy to construct and affordable devices.

Structural reinforcement device under experiment

Ongoing research projects

・Engineering historic architecture, 2017-

Research meetings with academics, structural engineers and preservation specialists involved in the engineering/structural aspects of historic timber architecture. (Todai Funding)
https://utf.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

・Structural monitoring of historic timber architecture, 2003-

Structural monitoring ongoing at five storied pagodas of Zentsu-ji, Motoyama-ji, Tsukannon, main halls of Kencho-ji, Study of Gokokuji temple.

・Structural reinforcement devices being developed.

・Structural research on timber churches in collaboration with researchers in Norway, Ukraine and Polland.

Professor

Kaori Fujita

Member of Architectural Institute of Japan
Member of Science Council of Japan
Scientific Committee of World Conference of Timber Engineering
Member of International Symposium on Architectural Interchange in Asia
Member of Japan Association for Earthquake Engineering

1970Born in Tokyo, Japan
1993Graduated from the Department of Architecture, the University of Tokyo
1999Graduated from Doctor Course of Department of Architecture, the University of Tokyo. Received Doctor of Engineering
1999Assistant Researcher of Tokyo Metropolitan University
2000Assistant Professor of Tokyo Metropolitan University
2005Associate Professor of Tokyo Metropolitan University
2007Associate Professor of the University of Tokyo
2019Professor of the University of Tokyo, as of today

News

・Structural health monitoring at two timber pagodas in Kagawa.
・Online Study Tour of AKAMON

Contact

Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
Fujita Lab.
〒113-8656
東京都文京区本郷7-3-1 工学部11号館8階
Tel: 03-5841-6154
Fax: 03-5841-8518
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東京大学工学部建築学科大学院工学系研究科建築学専攻 Department of Architecture,Graduate School of Engineering,the University of Tokyo. 藤田研究室 Fujita Lab.

Fujita Lab.