A fractional model for heat transfer in Mongolian yurt

A yurt is a portable tent-like dwelling structure favored by Mongolian nomads for more than three millennia and it can be favorably used even at a harsh environment as low as ?50 degrees. The paper concludes that the multi-layer structure of the felt cover is the key for weatherproofing. A fractional differential model with He?s fractional derivative is established to find an optimal thickness of the fractal hierarchy of the felt cover. A better understanding of the yurt mechanism could help the further design of yurt-like space suits and other protective clothing for extreme cold region.