Typology of buttresses in Iranian Architecture

Buttresses has been used as a support structure in the field of architecture. This under pressure structure prevents from thrust force advancement and creates resistance and stability of main structure against any horizontal movement. Study references related to architectural structures makes it clear that little researches is dedicated to support structures, particularly buttress in Iran and is not provided the answer to this question: By what measures can investigated types of buttress and what are these types. Meanwhile, raised the issue of the buttress in the area of specialized restoration as a way of treatment, it is needed to urgent research conducted in this regard. The purpose of this study is understanding buttress in Iran. Therefore, relying on library studies then field research and surveying of 100 available samples, discovering and typology of buttresses of Persian architecture was intended. The main outcome of this study was to identify buttress species based on measures of form, position of buttress in plan, materials and construction time. The study of the typology of the studied samples showed that any combination of solid rectangular plan and combined sections (rectangle and triangle) types, are the most practical buttress of the 100 participants of this research. Ease of construct and play the best structural role of the buttress can be reasons of   using by architectures that has been based on their empirical knowledge. The buttresses have openings such as the type of a floor with the port covering of circular arch type; have allocated the most acceptances from the architects. An achievement that offers this research, are scientific solutions for restorers and architects to design the buttress species in restored historic buildings.