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Structural Morphology of a Masonry Space Dome in Historical Tabriz Bazaar

Complex

Article · September 2017

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 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
“Interfaces: architecture. engineering. Science”
September 25 - 28th, 2017, Hamburg, Germany
Annette Bögle, Manfred Grohmann (eds.)

Structural Morphology of a Masonry Space Dome in Historical

Tabriz Bazaar Complex
Mohammad Reza CHENAGHLOU*, Ahad NEJAD EBRAHIMIa, Yaser SHAHBAZIb, Mohammad
KHEIROLLAHIc, Amir Amjad MOHAMMADId

* Professor of Structural Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, mrchenaghlou@sut.ac.ir

a
Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran, Ahadebrahimi@tabriziau.ac.ir
b
Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran, y.shahbazi@tabriziau.ac.ir
c
PH.D candidate of structural Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, m_kheirollahi@sut.ac.ir
d
Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran, a.amjad@tabriziau.ac.ir

Abstract
Studies of historical masonry buildings in Tabriz have been resulted in knowing the fundamental
features of masonry structural systems. These features are architectural and structural morphologies,
force flow and force management in the structures and understanding the collaboration among structural
elements. The Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex has been constructed as a large integrated covered
masonry structure. One of the traditional covered space with complicated configuration of special
masonry intersecting arches (Karbandi), is Timche Haj Mohammad Qoli (with 11.5 meters diameter),
which have been selected to study. This structure is three dimensional building and acts in a three
dimensional manner. In this paper, the results of the structural morphology‟s study demonstrate this
fact, in spite of the time of erection and the level of knowledge for that time periods, it has been
constructed very intelligently. Although, different types of masonry domes could be used for covering
the area, but using this type of Karbandi‟s system resulted in a good incorporation between
architectural and structural aspects. Also, the morphology and structural performance of mentioned
Karbandi are assessed.

Keywords. Tabriz bazaar complex, Karbandi, Structural morphology, Masonry space structures.

1. Introduction
Alexander graham Bell in 1903 introduced the space frame for using in any kind of structure to
combine the qualities of strength and lightness [1]. He concluded tetrahedral is appropriate for three
dimensional actions. Although, before Bell, three dimensional structures had been made by others, but
Bell‟s work was an important start for space structures. Space grid, space frame and lattice structures
could be mentioned the first generation of space structures. According to these structures the main
feature of space structure was the domination of axial force as compression or tensile forces in
elements of space grids.
After invention of new types of space structures, the definition for space structure was improved.
IASS issued in 1984 that „a space frame is a structural system, assembled of linear elements so
arranged that the loads are transferred in a three-dimensional manner. In some cases, the constituent
elements may be two-dimensional. Macroscopically, a space frame often takes the form of a flat or
curved surface’. [2]
The formal definition for space structures has been given by Nooshin in 1998 [3], in which the term
space structure refers to a structural system that involves three dimensions. According to the above
mentioned definitions, three dimensional action is the most important feature of space structures.
Therefore, during history other structures with different material could be assessed as a space structure.
For example, masonry domes should be considered as a space structure. Before popularity of steel
elements in structural engineering, masonry structures were dominant. In Iran a lot of masonry
monuments have been erected as Bazaar complex, mosques, bridges and so on. Correlation and
 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

Coordination between architectural and structural designs has been resulted to create very aesthetic
buildings during history as well as nowadays. In order to bridge the gap between structural engineering
and architecture, especially in the field of space structures, it is necessary to concentrate on structural
morphology. According to Motro‟s definition [4], „structural morphology is at the interface
between ‘form’ and ‘structure’ and expresses their interactions and meets the requirements of material
and the balanced required’. On the other hand, Stach [5] indicates, structural morphology deals with
the study of the relationship between the geometric form and structural behavior.
Kawaguchi [6] states that „a structural engineer should have an ability to appreciate the structural
legacies’. One of these buildings is Tabriz bazaar complex with masonry space structures. Studies of
historical masonry buildings in Tabriz have been resulted in knowing the fundamental features of
masonry structural systems. These features are architectural and structural morphologies, force flow
and force management in the structures and understanding the collaboration among structural elements.
The Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex has been constructed as a large integrated, covered masonry
structure and is the great economical-social system. The bazaar area was not only allocated to the
trade, but embodied some key factors such as Jami mosque, religious schools, bathhouses,
Ghahvekhānes (traditional tea house) and other important urban facilities public an governmental
areas [7]. The construction techniques used in buildings of the Tabriz bazaar are unique in Iran [7].
The bazaar has varieties Timche (traditional covered trade space), Rasteh (traditional trade rout) which
have been covered with different masonry curved surfaces such as domes, vaults and Karbandies
(Special masonry intersecting arches). One of the traditional covered space with complicated
configuration of special masonry intersecting arches (Karbandi), is Timche Haj Mohammad Qoli (with
11.5 meters diameter).
Karbandi is a kind of arched shape roofing, consisting of harmonious combination of several units and
is formed based on the specific geometry. Different types of Karbandis have been discussed by some
researchers for example M.Pour Ahmadi [8]. Karbandi has been used in many Islamic-Persian
architectures and has created beauty works. Also, Karbandi was widely used in the entrance, arcades
(Timche) and the intersection of Persian historical Bazaars. Tabriz bazaar is one of the most important
and beautiful bazaars which has numerous karbandis in different parts. Fig.1 shows the samples of
Timches in Tabriz Bazaar. In this paper, the structural behavior of Timche is assessed using finite
element method.

a b

Figure 1. a- Malek Timche , b-Haj Safar Ali Timche

2. Tabriz Historical Bazaar

Tabriz Historical bazaar has been known as the largest brick structure in the world and registered in
World Heritage List by UNESCO [7]. The structure consists of 26 Saras, 20 Timches, 30 Rasteh, 4
Charogs, 21 Corridors, 8 markets, 5 bathrooms, 2 libraries, 28 masques, 6 masques and schools, 3
tombs, square, 2 bazaar bridges, Refrigerators and gymnasium (Zorkhane). Timche is one the most
beautiful part of Bazaar. Timche indoors was in the vicinity of Rasteh and their applications were the
wholesale supply of goods. The Timches of Tabriz Bazaar are arched shape which has been built using
karbandi. One of the most complicated Karbandis, is Haj Mohammad Qoli Timche as shown in figs.2
and 3.
 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

Figure 2. Location of Haj Mohammad Goli Timche in Tabriz Bazaar

Figure 3. Plan and section of Haj Mohammad Goli Timche in Tabriz Bazaar [9].

2.1. Karbandi of Haj Mohammad Qoli’s Timche

Haj Mohammad Qoli, Haj Safar Ali and Haj Taghi were the famous traders (merchants) in the early
Qajar and Contemporaneous with viceroy Abass-Mirza. Each of them built one Timche in the vicinity
of each other. All Timches had curved surface and had been constructed using Karbandi. In comparison
to others, Haj Mohammad Qoli Timche was the most complicated in configuration. This Karbandi is
a type of Conventional expansion with plumb form and has 16 Shamseh (sun-like) which was called
16 sides Karbandi. In this Karbandi, transverse rib connects to piers directly for transferring forces. Also,
Plumb-Karbandi is vertical to plane and have load-carrying capability. Geometry has a significant role
in forming, drawing and performing of karbandi [10].The procedure of Karbandi drawing is as follow:
First step: The selection of Arc (Chafd)
Second step: Karbandi type
 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

Geometry of Karbandi must be specified with background. In studied Timche, Karbandi has been
expanded with 16 points (Shamses) star because the background of Timche is octagon (Hasht) and
irregular octagon (Hashtonim). This type of expansion has application for octagon and irregular
octagon. Although, the combination of two Karbandis has been in rectangular plane, selected arc
(Chafd) has been rotated 16 times with 22.5 degree around the center of circle. It should be noted
rotation angle related to geometry and Karbandi‟s type. Then some parts of diagonal ribs (Barike Tag)
are removed. Finally, Karbandi was rotated to 90 degree and combined two perpendicular Karbandies.
The formation process of Haj mohammad Goli karbandi is illustrated in fig.4.

Figure 4. The formation process of Karbandi

3. Structural Simulation of the Karbandi of Haj Mohammad Qoli’s Timche

The analysis of historical masonry buildings is difficult task in comparison to common designed
structures. This is because of limited information about geometry, mechanical properties, inner core of
the structural behavior, uncertainties in all data because of human and knowledge error and
construction sequences [11]. Therefore, historical buildings are usually very complex structures and
analytical models appropriate to the type of the structure and the type of the masonry are not easily
implemented. Therefore, good documentation and clear identification of the geometry is necessary. The
geometry of the Timche has been obtained carefully and used for simulation. The Timche has a span
of 11,50m (fig.5). The left side photo in fig. 5 is from reference [7]. Bricks had been used for the
construction of the dome. The bricks have been connected together with lime mortar.
 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

Figure 5. View and Geometry of the Timche Haj Mohammad Qoli,

In this study, structural behavior of Timche Haj Mohammad Qoli (masonry dome) under gravity loads
(dead and snow loads) was investigated in terms of maximum stress variation and the stress flow.
3.1. Modeling of masonry space dome
According to Lourenço [11], masonry can be modeled by different strategies depending on the level of
accuracy desired in the results. The most common ways to model the masonry structures are [11]:
Detailed Micro-Model
Units and mortar are modeled with plane stress elements and the unit/mortar interface between these
two components is created using discrete elements (fig.6.b). This is the most accurate representation of
reality which considers the properties of each individual component of the structure.
Simplified Micro-Model
The mortar joint properties and the interface behavior are lumped in a discrete element with zero
thickness and the bricks are expanded in two directions with the thickness of a joint to keep the
dimensions of the model intact. This is therefore called the expanded brick model (fig.6.c).
Composite Macro-Model
The properties of all components, mortar, bricks and brick-mortar interface, are smeared out over a
plane stress element using a cracking or plasticity material model (fig.6.d).
Each type of modeling has its own field of application; therefore in general one model is not better
than the other. For predicting the damage level of a large masonry structure a much lower level of
accuracy is needed and a short computational time is desirable the composite macro-model is most
suitable. Therefore, in this case, macro model is suitable for studying the behavior of the entire
masonry structure because it reduces computation time and performance.

Figure.6 modeling strategies for masonry structures according to Lourenço [11] (a) masonry sample; (b) detailed
micro- modeling; (c) simplified micro-modeling; (d) macro-modeling
 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

3.2. Finite Element Simulation of Masonry Dome

For undertaking the numerical simulation of the masonry dome ABAQUS.6.12 [12] was employed.
Since the main purpose of the current study is to examine behavior of the structure under gravity
loads, masonry dome was numerically modeled in the context of a macro-modeling strategy. Despite
this rather oversimplifying assumption, macro-models have been widely used in the linear and non-
linear FE analyses of masonry structures (fig.7) and are considered adequate for the characterization of
the structural response of large-scale structural elements and full buildings. All components of the FE
model were discretized using 8-node 3D linear brick elements (C3D8). A more dense FE mesh
consisting of 7935 elements was used in the case of the masonry structure. The FE model is shown in
fig.7. Fixed supported were considered as boundary conditions.

Figure 7. Structural analysis of “Timche Haj Mohammad Qoli”, based on Macro-modeling strategy

The masonry material of dome was assumed to have Young modulus E of 0.55GPa and Poisson ratio
equal to 0.15. The models were subjected to the vertical loads equal to total 8000 N/m2 deriving from
own weight with 0.1 m thick masonry dome and the roof loads.
4. Structural Analysis of Space Dome
In this study, the behavior of the dome investigated using linear static analysis. The linear static
analysis was carried out by taking into account the weight of the overall structure and snow load.
Analysis results were investigated in terms of maximum stress variation and also the stress flow of
dome.
4.1. Stress Distribution in Space Dome
Stress distribution due to gravity loads in the masonry space dome was investigated in the studied
structure. The maximum values of compressive and tensile stresses in both surfaces of elements were
displayed in figs.8 & 9. Results have shown the compressive stresses are dominant in the majority of
members and tension stresses in the structure are negligible. Therefore, dominated Stress distribution
in the members of this structure indicates intelligent construction of this structure in spite of the level
of knowledge for that time periods.

Figure 8. Distribution of compressive and tensile stresses

 Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2017
Interfaces: architecture.engineering.science

Figure 9. Stress flow in masonry Dome

5. Conclusion
Masonry buildings consist of heterogeneous materials such as units and adhesive materials. Units are
blocks, stones and bricks. Adhesive materials are any kind of mortars with different base materials.
Mechanical properties of masonry building are common in some features. For example, their tensile
and bending strength are low and negligible but compressive strength could be adequate. These
properties give rise to determine an appropriate form such as arcs to dominate the compression forces.
Studies of historical masonry buildings shows that architects and engineers did not know about
modern structural analysis. But they could understand force flow, force filed (type of dominant forces)
and force management in masonry buildings. They could try to generate new forms with domination
of compressive forces.
Studies during the recent years have proved that in spite of the time of erection, lack of engineering
knowledge in construction and as regards decision-making were taken place during construction
without evaluation, Timche has been constructed intelligently. So that analysis results show that under
gravity loads the compressive stresses are dominant in the majority of members and tension stresses in
the structure are negligible. On the other hands, although different types of masonry domes could be
used for covering the area, Karbandi ‘s system as a space structural system was used to improve the
structural performance and reducing the weight of the structure. Using this type of Karbandi‟s system
has been resulted in a good incorporation between architectural and structural aspects.

References
[1] A.Graham Bell, The Tetrahedral Principle in Kite Structure, National Geographic
Magazine,1903,Vol.XIV,No.6.
[2] Analysis, Design and Realization of Space frames- A State of the Art Report, IASS working group
on Spatial Steel Structures, Bulletin of IASS, 1984, Vol. XXV-1/2, PP. 1-114.
[3] Nooshin H., Space Structures and Configuration Processing, Progress in Structural Engineering
and Materials, April 1998, DOI: 10.1002/pse.2260010316.
[4] Motro R., An Anthropology of Structural Morphology, World Scientific, 2009.
[5] E.Stach, Structural Morphology and self-Organization, Design and Nature, 2010.
[6] Kawaghuchi M, How well do we appreciate the structural legacies? Proceedings of the annual
symposium 2016, 26-30 September, Tokyo, Japan.
[7] Executive Summary Tabriz Historical Bazzar Complex. UNESCO World Heritage Convention
Nomination of Properties for Inclusion on the World Heritage List.
[8] Pour Ahmadi,M. A Basic Method for Naming Persian Karbandis Using a Set of Numbers, Nexus
Netw J (2014) 16:313–343.
[9] Haj Gasemi,K., Ganjnameh, Cyclopedia of Iranian Islamic Architecture, Vol.9.Bazaar Buildings, Part
one,Shahid Beheshti University,2004.
[10]Pirnia, M. Bozorgmehri, Z. 1992. Hendese Dar Me‟mari (Geometry in Architecture). Tehran:
Sazman-e Miras-e Farhangi-ye Keshvar (Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization). (In Farsi).
[11] Lourenco P. B.” Computations on historic masonry structures”, 25 February 2014.
[12] ABAQUS Inc.“ABAQUS analysis user manual”, v. 6.12-3, 2012;

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