Yurts have been around for thousands of years.
The yurt was first invented by the Mongolians in Central Asia.
Its earliest history can up dated to 600 BC.
Yurts are well-known for being easy to take apart, and being able to handle harsh weather conditions.
They can withstand the elements and have become more popular all around the world.
Many people choose to live in them full-time or use them as vacation homes.
However, as hurricanes become more frequent and stronger, some people are asking if yurts can withstand them.
The modern yurts have been modernized, and their durability greatly improved.
But actually, no structure is completely hurricane-proof.
Yurts could withstand high winds and heavy snow loads, but they may not be able to withstand the full force of a hurricane. But, with reinforced, yurts can be more hurricane-resistant.
Understand The Structure of The Yurt
Yurts are easily recognizable by their distinctive round shape.
The round shape of a yurt puts less pressure on the structure than a rectangular building with flat sides.
At the same time, the round shape can provide less wind resistance.
The yurt’s roof consists of a central ring and poles, supported by lattice walls.
The poles meet in the center of the roof and are held tightly by this central ring.
This combination makes it possible to achieve long roof spans without any support system inside the yurt.
This makes the yurt open and spacious inside.
The roof of a yurt is generally designed to be strong and flexible. This can withstand a certain degree of earthquake, strong wind, and heavy snow load.
A yurt’s floor is often made of wood or concrete, while its walls are made of canvas or other strong stuff. The door is usually placed on the side that faces away from the wind, so that rain and wind don’t get inside.
Factors Affecting The Wind Resistance of Yurts
Yurt Shape
Traditional yurts are constructed with a circular frame and a conical roof.
This simple design reduces wind resistance by letting the wind flow smoothly over it. The angle of the roof and the curve of the walls are important parts of the design that affect wind resistance.
Yurts with shorter walls and flatter roofs are usually more stable than those with taller walls and steeper roofs.
Yurt Size
The size of the yurt is an important factor affecting wind resistance.
Larger yurts have more mass than smaller yurts, as they have more mass and are less likely to be blown over by high winds. But on the other hand, the larger size of the yurt means that the contact area with the wind also increases.
Without a good Anchor System, a larger yurt will not be as wind-resistant as a smaller yurt.
Materials
The main materials of the yurt consist of a frame and covering.
Metal and wooden frames are more wind-resistant than bamboo frames. They are not only more massive but also more resilient to withstand the impact of high winds for a long time.
To keep the yurt safe from strong winds, it is important to use sturdy materials like heavy-duty canvas or weather-resistant synthetic fabrics for the covering. Also, make sure to attach the covering securely to the frame.
Foundation
Yurts should built on a solid foundation that is appropriate for the soil in the area.
If the foundation is not strong enough, the yurt may not be able to withstand high winds.
There are various types of foundations for yurts.
Platform Deck: A raised wooden platform deck is a common choice for yurts. It provides stability and keeps the yurt above ground moisture. Properly built, it can distribute wind forces evenly and resist wind uplift.
Concrete Foundation: In some cases, a concrete foundation or pier can be used to anchor the yurt. This provides a very stable base but may not be necessary for all yurt setups. Concrete foundations are often used for more permanent yurt installations.
Ground Anchors: Ground anchors such as auger-style stakes or screw-in anchors can be used to secure the yurt to the ground. These anchors penetrate the soil and provide strong resistance to wind uplift.
However, it is necessary to seal the yurt between the yurt and the foundation. Otherwise, the huge wind force will form a vacuum inside the yurt, and the pressure will cause the yurt to implode.
Wind Speed and Duration
Wind speed directly correlates with the force or load that the wind exerts on the yurt. As wind speed increases, the pressure on the yurt’s structure also increases exponentially.
Yurts are made to resist moderate winds, but how well they do this depends on things like how they’re built, what they’re made of, and how they’re anchored. Being in strong winds for a long time can make the yurt’s materials and parts tired and worn out. Wind constantly pushing on the yurt can make the cloth covers weaker, cause rubbing, and put pressure on the frame’s joints and anchors.
What Wind Level Can A Yurt Withstand?
In fact, many yurt manufacturers engineer their products to be able to withstand winds up to 100 mph.
while others can handle winds up to 150 mph or more.
Pacific Yurts’ largest yurt can be enhanced to withstand wind up to 142 miles per hour.
Depending on the expected wind conditions, you should take additional windproofing measures, such as reinforcing the frame, adding extra guy ropes, or installing windbreak barriers around the yurt.
Measures to Make Yurts More Hurricane-Resistant
If you have known in advance that a hurricane is coming according to hurricane warnings.
Then it is necessary to take measures to strengthen your yurt to improve wind resistance.
- Invest in a durable cover made from heavy-duty fabric or synthetic materials. Cover it on the yurt and secure it firmly. These Windproof Covers Can Resist Hurricane Rip.
- Install hurricane-proof doors and windows. These doors and windows can resist strong winds and heavy rain, and can help protect the yurt from harm.
- Install windbreak barriers. You can put up windbreak barriers around the yurt to provide more protection. These barriers can be made of various materials, such as wood or fabric.
- Check your yurt frame components one by one and re-reinforce them.
- Install extra support beams in the frame to reinforce its structural integrity.
- Consider using storm straps to secure the yurt cover to the frame more effectively.
- Use hurricane clips or metal connectors to strengthen the connections between frame components.
- Add extra guy ropes and ground stakes to provide extra anchoring points and distribute wind forces.
- Ensure the yurt’s conical roof design promotes wind flow over the structure, reducing wind resistance. Properly tension the roof to prevent it from lifting.
- Install wind-resistant roof caps or vents that can relieve internal pressure and reduce the risk of the roof being blown off.
- Use heavy-duty ground anchors such as screw-in anchors or mobile home tie-downs to secure the yurt firmly to the ground.
- Regularly check and maintain the yurt to find and fix any damage that could make it weaker.
Final Thoughts
Hurricanes can unleash winds of incredible force and bring torrential rains, storm surges, and flying debris that can overwhelm even well-prepared structures. Safety should always be the foremost consideration. In hurricane-prone areas, yurt dwellers must have robust emergency plans in place.
While yurts are designed to be sturdy and able to withstand various weather conditions, including wind.
Even when reinforced and prepared for hurricane conditions, yurts are not truly hurricane-proof.
It is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure they remain safe during hurricanes. With proper installation, anchoring, and reinforcement, yurts can be made more hurricane-resistant
