The Principle of Automatic Control in Ancient Hydraulic Engineering Works: A Comparative Study of the Dutch Beemster Polder and China's Dujiangyan Irrigation System

A comparative analysis of the Beemster Polder and China's Dujiangyan Irrigation System reveals two distinct yet universal control paradigms in ancient hydraulic engineering. The study identifies a 'natural guidance type' system in Dujiangyan, which leverages terrain reshaping to activate natural forces for self-sustaining water and sediment balance, reflecting Oriental philosophical principles. Conversely, the Beemster Polder employs a 'mechanical intervention type' system, utilizing a hierarchical canal network and windmill-driven mechanisms to dynamically regulate hydrological fluctuations, embodying Heraclitus' concept of flux. This research demonstrates that both systems, despite their differences, share a universal control logic applicable to modern ecological engineering.

Fang, Y., Rong, D., & Lou, Y. (2025). The Principle of Automatic Control in Ancient Hydraulic Engineering Works: A Comparative Study of the Dutch Beemster Polder and China’s Dujiangyan Irrigation System. 2025 IEEE 26th China Conference on System Simulation Technology and Its Applications (CCSSTA), 696–702. https://doi.org/10.1109/ieeeconf65522.2025.11137183