# Research on the development of Chaozhou woodcarving from the perspectives of grounded theory and biomechanics

## TL;DR

This study combines grounded theory and biomechanics to develop a framework for sustainably modernizing traditional crafts like Chaozhou woodcarving using AI and scientific analysis.

## Contribution

The novel Bio-Cultural Heritage Design Framework integrates cultural insights with biomechanical and AI-driven design to optimize traditional crafts for modern use.

## Key findings

- Biomechanical utility (40% weight) was identified as the dominant factor in optimizing Chaozhou woodcarving designs.
- AI-generated prototypes outperformed traditional designs by 40–47% in biomechanical performance and user evaluations.
- Finite element analysis confirmed stress distribution in optimized designs was below 10 MPa, ensuring structural stability.

## Abstract

This study establishes a novel Bio-Cultural Heritage Design Framework that integrates grounded theory and biomechanics to address the sustainable development of traditional crafts in the digital era. Using Chaozhou woodcarving as a case study, we constructed a hierarchical demand system through a three-stage coding analysis of 1,250 online reviews, 381 survey responses, and expert interviews, identifying biomechanical utility (A1, 40% weight) as the dominant factor. Key sub-criteria—ergonomic compatibility (C12, 0.21 weight), material durability (e.g., nanmu wood with elastic modulus ≥8 GPa), and structural stability (C22, 0.15 weight)—were translated into AI design constraints via Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AI-generated prototypes (e.g., Sample 15, score 4.53/5) demonstrated superior biomechanical performance, validated by finite element analysis (stress distribution <10 MPa) and user evaluations, outperforming traditional designs by 40–47%. This framework bridges cultural authenticity with scientific rigor, offering actionable strategies to optimize functional reliability while preserving heritage aesthetics, thereby addressing the critical challenge of balancing craft preservation with modern market demands.