TY - JOUR TI - A fractional model for heat transfer in Mongolian yurt AU - Liu Hong-Yan AU - Li Zhi-Min AU - Ko Frank K JN - Thermal Science PY - 2017 VL - 21 IS - 4 SP - 1861 EP - 1866 PT - Article AB - 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.