Study On The Trebuchet In Wu Ching Tsung Yao

The trebuchet in ancient China was a heavy wooden long-range weapon.The study on it was in a cross area between the history of Chinese ancient weapon and ancient machinery.Previous studies of trebuchet on application technology was scarce.The Song military manual Wu Ching Tsong Yao includes 7 different trebuchets with illustrations and 16 kinds of trebuchets with pictures before Song dynasty. Through systematic interpretation of such classic literature as Wu Ching Tsong Yao, from the point of structural classification, that some characteristics of the trebuchet could be found,such as species diversity, specifications, and characteristics of composite shao,which could meet the different needs of actual combat, facilitate the production, management, transportation, maintenance and improve the trebuchet performance.Combined the field survey on the trebuchets recovered by Lu Jingyan and Wu Jinggang with literature analysis,the structure of the trebuchet has good stability, high strength,easy maintenance and is convenient to transportation. Shao as the core component reflected the optimal design.The proportion of the power arm and resisting arm is around 1:4, the angle between the Shao with ground is about 45°.By adjusting the angle of the Tiexiewei and the rope length could change the launch angle. Standard stone shape is help to weaken the influence of the separation point.The use of the trebuchet technology including single emission technique and tactics of city defense system. Through the training the soldiers, single performance could be full played. At the tactical level, it is a basic defense.Through putting trebuchet in the city, by the artillery division of labor cooperation and indirect aiming to blow to the enemy. Active defense isachievable, through positive intercept, reinforce the capital infrastructureand reasonable layout.