Structural stability analysis of the Han Dynasty tomb at Dabaotai, Beijing using FLAC3D

This study employs the FLAC3D numerical simulation method to systematically analyze the structural stability of the No. 1 Han Dynasty tomb at Dabaotai, Beijing. A three-dimensional model encompassing the burial pit, tomb chamber, and rammed fill soil was constructed to simulate the entire process from the excavation of the burial pit and erection of the tomb chamber to its sealing. The Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model was used to analyze the stress distribution, displacement, and plastic zone distribution within the surrounding rock. Results indicate that the tomb exhibited overall stability during initial construction, reflecting the engineering wisdom of Han craftsmen in site selection, excavation, and rammed earth filling techniques. However, the associated timber structures demonstrated weak lateral resistance, rendering them prone to overturning over time. This study offers quantitative evidence for the engineering archaeology of high-status Han tombs and the conservation of earthen archaeological sites.