Studies in the History of Natural Sciences　 suppl. 2006 

Scientific Nature and Historic Contribution of Zhang Heng's Seismometer

FENG Rui, ZHU Tao, WU Yuxia,

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045, China)

LI Xiandeng

(The National Museum of China, Beijing, 100006, China)

Abstract　Two kinds of ground motion, the basic distinctions between seismometer and alarm as well as modern seismometry are introduced in this paper. It is pointed out that Zhang Heng's seismometer was the imitation and development of natural seismoscope, i.e., suspended objects. The historical records provided us some instrument information related to its structure, dimension, reaction, relation and application which had seismological implications and included 3 important parameters. It is due to these technical information and important parameters existed in historical records that the authenticity and scientific nature of the instrument are confirmed and make the scientific reconstruction of it possible. It is the first time in the world that Zhang Heng used pendulum inertia to detect successfully an earthquake, and he also solved two critical technical items of obtaining the record and detecting weak signal of seismic waves. His outstanding contribution mentioned above played an important role in ideological enlightenment at the beginning stage of modern seismology. The invention of Zhang Heng's seismometer has promoted the progress of natural science and had far-reaching social effects.

Key words　Zhang Heng's seismometer, Conventional model, Natural seismoscope, Alarm, inertia, John Milne

Doubt on the Traditional Reconstruction Model of Zhang Heng's Seismometer

FENG Rui, WU Yuxia, ZHU Tao,

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045,China)

LI Xiandeng

(The National Museum of China, Beijing, 100006,China)

Abstract　With the enrichment of materials and progress of research, the exhibition model reconstructed by Mr. Wang Zhenduo in 1951 has displayed serious deviations and faults in three main aspects. Firstly, the working principle of upright rod is not correct, and its scientific nature and feasibility are denied by a series of strict theoretical calculation, experiment and earthquake observation. The essential fault in the model is that Zhang Heng's invention was not reconstructed into a seismoscope but an alarm. Secondly, the external form of the model is not reasonable, it accords with neither the historical records nor the form of the excavated wine containers of Han Dynasty, and eventually the basic stability of the instrument can not keep. Thirdly, the modeling of dragons and toads don't accord with historical record. Especially the placement of the discrete toads facing toward instrument designed initially by I. Fukube doesn't accord with the tradition of Chinese culture. Therefore, the traditional reconstruction model is denied. Taken the model as an exclusive reconstructed one and propagandized it widely has led to some negative social effects. The critique and negation to this model from academe are honest and serious, and should be paid much attention on.

Key words　Zhang Heng's seismometer, Traditional reconstruction model, Working principle, External form, Artistic Shapes

Research on the Historical Records and Reconstruction Models of Zhang Heng's Seismometer

FENG Rui， WU Yuxia， ZHU Tao

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045，China)

Abstract　There isn't only one historical record related to Zhang Heng's seismometer, it is noted that a few materials had existed for 70 to 150 years before Fan Ye's writting. We studied total 7 earliest historical block-printed editions collected in China National Library and compared them with the 196 Chinese characters in Hou Han Shu word by word. So far we have gotten 238 Chinese characters about Zhang Heng's invention. The record in Xu Han Shu written by Si Mabiao gave three new significant information, and Hou Han Ji written by Yuan Hong added other six. As a result, the 11 suspicions in the previous research have been preliminarily clarified. Recently, 7 new reconstruction models are proposed and can be divided into three groups of suspended pendulum, vertical pendulum and free-rod according to their working principle. Authors introduce and discuss them briefly in the paper.

Key words　Xu Han Shu, Hou Han Ji，Hou Han Shu，Reconstruction model

Scientific Reconstruction of Zhang Heng's Seismometer

FENG Rui，

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045，China)

TIAN Kai，

(Henan Museum, Zhengzhou 450002，China)　　

ZHU Tao， WU Yuxia，

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045，China)

ZHU Xiaomin，

(Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry, Beijing 100011，China)

LI Xiandeng，

(The National Museum of China, Beijing, 100006，China)

SUN Xianling

(Research Department of Beijing Sculpture Factory, Beijing 100096，China)

Abstract　Research on reconstruction of Zhang Heng's seismometer has been unfolded in the spirit of “correctness of principle, rationality of structure, design based on evidence and closeness to history”. In this paper, the six limitations on scientific reconstructed model are introduced in detail and the new results from the research on historical records, seismology and experiment are presented. The present new model has following features: suspended pendulum, five parts of its inner structure, the similar external form of the warming wine jars of Han Dynasty, eight heads of dragon and toad-shaped foots, and such reconstructed model is much consistent with historical records and the culture characteristics of Han Dynasty. The framework of the model has good functions of seismoscope and anti-disturbances. The phenomenon corresponding to historical Longxi earthquake is recurred, which indicates a research leap from conceptual model to a reconstruction of scientific instrument. At the present, an external form and a structural sample with one-third of the real size have been formally on exhibition in Henan Museum (Zhengzhou) and Public Security Museum of Haidian (Beijing).

Key words　Scientific Reconstruction, Historical Record Research, Seismological Research, Experimental Research

Scientific Reconstruction of Zhang Heng's Seismometer

FENG Rui，

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045，China)

TIAN Kai，

(Henan Museum, Zhengzhou 450002，China)　　

ZHU Tao， WU Yuxia，

(China Earthquake Networks Center, Beijing 100045，China)

ZHU Xiaomin，

(Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry, Beijing 100011，China)

LI Xiandeng，

(The National Museum of China, Beijing, 100006，China)

SUN Xianling

(Research Department of Beijing Sculpture Factory, Beijing 100096，China)

Abstract　Research on reconstruction of Zhang Heng's seismometer has been unfolded in the spirit of “correctness of principle, rationality of structure, design based on evidence and closeness to history”. In this paper, the six limitations on scientific reconstructed model are introduced in detail and the new results from the research on historical records, seismology and experiment are presented. The present new model has following features: suspended pendulum, five parts of its inner structure, the similar external form of the warming wine jars of Han Dynasty, eight heads of dragon and toad-shaped foots, and such reconstructed model is much consistent with historical records and the culture characteristics of Han Dynasty. The framework of the model has good functions of seismoscope and anti-disturbances. The phenomenon corresponding to historical Longxi earthquake is recurred, which indicates a research leap from conceptual model to a reconstruction of scientific instrument. At the present, an external form and a structural sample with one-third of the real size have been formally on exhibition in Henan Museum (Zhengzhou) and Public Security Museum of Haidian (Beijing).

Key words　Scientific Reconstruction, Historical Record Research, Seismological Research, Experimental Research