Mortise and Tenon Prefabricated House Structural Diagram
Currently, there is no directly available 'mortise and tenon prefabricated house structural diagram', but its design logic can be inferred through the principles of mortise and tenon joints and typical case studies. For specific structural diagrams, it is recommended to refer to traditional wooden architecture atlases or the restoration diagrams of the Hemudu Site in archaeological reports.

The mortise and tenon joint is the core connection method in traditional Chinese wooden architecture. Its fundamental principle involves the precise interlocking of a protruding 'tenon' on one piece of wood with a recessed 'mortise' on another, achieving a stable connection between components without the need for nails or glue. This structure can be manifested as modular design in prefabricated houses: the house is broken down into standardized components such as columns, beams, and斗拱 (dougong, a traditional Chinese architectural element that combines brackets and beams). Each component is pre-machined with tenons or mortises, and assembly is completed through interlocking during construction. For example, among the stilt-style house components unearthed at the Hemudu Site, various types of mortise and tenon joints have been found, including round tenons, swallowtail tenons, and tongue-and-groove tenons. The swallowtail tenon, with its 'wider top and narrower bottom' tenon design, effectively prevents components from disengaging and is commonly used for beam-column connections. The tongue-and-groove tenon achieves seamless splicing between panels through the interlocking of the tenon and mortise, making it suitable for floors or walls.
If specific structural diagrams are needed, the following directions can be referred to:
- Traditional wooden architecture atlases: For instance, the architectural drawings of Song Dynasty wooden structures recorded in ancient texts such as the 'Yingzao Fashi'. Although not prefabricated houses, they demonstrate the standardized design logic of mortise and tenon joints. For example, the mortise and tenon connection method between 'column-head beams' and 'dougong' can provide inspiration for the design of prefabricated components.
- Restoration diagrams of the Hemudu Site in archaeological reports: The stilt-style houses at Hemudu are early examples of the application of mortise and tenon joints. Their restoration diagrams provide detailed annotations of the types of mortise and tenon joints and their interlocking methods between components, such as the 'cross tenon' connection between columns and beams and the 'tongue-and-groove tenon' splicing of floor panels, which can be directly used as references for the structural design of prefabricated houses.
- Modern mortise and tenon prefabricated building case studies: Some modern buildings adopt improved mortise and tenon joints for rapid assembly. For example, the 'Mortise and Tenon House' designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma features components machined with high-precision mortise and tenon joints using CNC machines. The main structure can be completed through manual interlocking during construction, and the relevant construction drawings reflect the modern application logic of mortise and tenon prefabricated houses.
It should be noted that the structural design of mortise and tenon prefabricated houses needs to balance standardization and stability. The types, dimensions, and interlocking sequences of mortise and tenon joints must undergo mechanical calculations and simulation tests to ensure the seismic resistance and durability of the house.




