Abstract

This study focused on the habits and way of life of nomads in the Iranian Highlands, but their homes, called Black Tents, were of the main interest. The research explored the construction of the Black Tents and the way of shaping the space in which family life takes place. It concerned the architectural forms of tents, structures and materials from which they are erected, as well as interior furnishings and objects that determine their character. The methods used in the research include descriptive analysis and graphical presentation of the test results. The inquiry was conducted in libraries, archives and institutions and using official websites. The author also conducted drawing and photographic inventories of tents and everyday life of nomads. Laboratory tests of the next phase of work have been documented with printouts and presentations of the sets of devices used in the research. Further analysis was carried out using advanced software computer programmes, such as 3DMax, ABAQUS and other professional civil engineering digital tools allowing to obtain comparable results. The research results and summaries of their individual phases are presented in the form of maps, charts and tables. As a result of macroscopic studies, it turned out that the fabric, made of cloth woven from long black goat hair, with which the structures are covered (Chador), which is woven by women, is the same for all tribes. Women also erect and dismantle tents before and after the journey and so have an influence on their construction. The analysis of the dimensions and forms of the discussed seven types of tents from different parts of the country showed large differences, which is evidence of creativity and engineering thinking. The next step of the research was to check to what extent the stability of each tent is adjusted to the climatic situation in which it is used. For this purpose, models were created in the ABACUS program. Their responses to wind and rain loads have been studied. It has been confirmed that the tents are strictly adapted to the conditions in which they are used. Their diversification is the result of the experience of many generations of nomads: observing the routes they traveled and the materials they could use. Tests of tent models covered with hand-made goat hair fabric showed that it is more useful for strengthening the structure of the tent and protecting its interior than fabrics used today for a similar purpose.

Author (1)