Preliminary crack study on physical damages of the three-story stone pagoda (Seokgatap) in Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju

A recent crack analysis of the three-story stone pagoda (Seokgatap) at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gyeongju, Korea, reveals that its physical damages stem from natural forces rather than artificial or chemical weathering. The study identified tensile and shear movement patterns in the cracks, suggesting they originate from structural loading, subsidence, or seismic activity. Specifically, cracks exhibit lateral displacement from the pagoda's central axis, indicating compression forces linked to uneven ground stability or earthquake-induced stress. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the causes of damage in stone structures, offering new insights into the preservation and stability assessment of cultural heritage sites.

Lee, M., & Kim, Y.-S. (2012). Preliminary crack study on physical damages of the three-story stone pagoda (Seokgatap) in Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju. Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 48(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.14770/jgsk.2012.48.1.69