Configuration processing and construction of large-span karbandi vaults: a case of the karbandi vaulting of Haj-Mohammad-Qoli Timche in Tabriz Historic Bazaar

Researchers have uncovered the unique self-supporting masonry construction method used for large-span karbandi vaults, a complex ribbed structure found in Persian architecture. This discovery sheds light on how these vaults, characterized by intersecting arches with harmonic stellar geometry, achieve stability without modern reinforcement. The study analyzed the Haj-Mohammad-Qoli Timche in Tabriz Historic Bazaar using archival data, direct observations, and interviews with master masons, then simulated the construction process using Rhino 6 and Grasshoppers software to create detailed BIM models. Findings also revealed how scale affects the architectural and structural form of karbandi vaults and identified specific connection types based on construction details. This research is significant as it documents a traditionally underexplored technique, offering insights that could inform modern masonry cross-ribbed vaulting.

Amjad Mohammadi, A., Safaeipour, H., Chenaghlou, M. R., Behnejad, A., & Afghani Khoraskani, R. (2022). Configuration processing and construction of large-span karbandi vaults: a case of the karbandi vaulting of Haj-Mohammad-Qoli Timche in Tabriz Historic Bazaar. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(1), 432–468. https://doi.org/10.1108/ecam-04-2022-0306