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Sistem Struktur Kayu
STRUCTURE & PHYSICSintermediate
Definition
Traditional timber structural systems used in Indonesian vernacular architecture, based on mortise-and-tenon joinery without nails or metal connectors. The post-and-beam system with diagonal bracing allows buildings to flex under seismic loads rather than resist rigidly — a critical property in earthquake-prone Indonesia. Primary structural timbers include jati (teak), ulin (ironwood from Kalimantan), and meranti, selected for strength and durability in tropical conditions.
Example
The rumah joglo's central saka guru structure uses interlocking timber joints at column-to-beam connections that allow slight movement during seismic events — a structural flexibility developed empirically through centuries of building in seismically active Java.