Jinkieng Jri: An Engineering Documentation, Translation, and Optimization Analysis of Meghalaya's Living Root Bridges

Abstract

This thesis is the first of its kind to study the living root bridges of Meghalaya, locally known as jinkieng jri, as works of structural engineering. Grown from the living roots of Ficus elastica trees, these structures are models of sustainability, cultural heritage, and resiliency against extreme environmental conditions. Based on site visits to seven bridges in December 2017 and relevant literature on the mechanical properties of living and green wood, this thesis provides a framework for understanding these structures from an engineering perspective. This foundation was achieved through the creation of a comprehensive guide of the jinkieng jri growth process, translation of bridges at Nongthymmai and Nongriat villages into engineering nomenclature, and formulation of structural matrix analysis code that not only approximately assesses the safety and serviceability of inputted bridges, but also analyzes the effect of changing parameters on such characteristics. In the face of rapid modernization that is putting the jinkieng jri tradition at risk, as well as global issues of climate change and resource depletion, this study performs important preservational and technical work to both promote the protection of the structures and present living architecture as a viable infrastructural solution in an environmentally-pressured world.