Local clothing properties for thermo-physiological modelling: Comparison of methods and body positions

Abstract

Thermo-physiological modelling has become a frequently used and valuable tool for simulations of thermoregulatory responses in a variety of applications, such as building and vehicular comfort studies. To achieve reliable results, it is necessary to provide precise inputs, such as clothing thermal parameters. These values are usually presented in a standing body position and scarcely reported locally for individual body parts. Moreover, as an air gap distribution is both highly affected by a given body position and critical for clothing insulation, this needs to be taken into account. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine eight probable approaches to assess the clothing parameters using stateof-the-art measurements, analytical and empirical models, and estimation. Next, we studied the effects of the eight clothing inputs on predicted thermo-physiological response under the same environmental conditions conducted with the Fiala model. Secondly, the study focuses on differences between seated and standing positions, both using two clothing sets representing typical European, indoor, summer and winter ensembles. The results show clear differences in clothing thermal properties between sitting and standing positions on both lower limbs and torso. The outputs of the eight

Common clothing area factor estimation equations are inaccurate for highly insulating (<b><i>I</i></b>_cl>2 clo) and non-western loose-fitting clothing ensembles

“…skin temperature change will also depend on total insulation of clothing ensemble itself. In a way, depending on cooling/heating speed and local sensitivity of skin, this outcome of the discussion would match with the predictions by Foitlín et al 12) .…”

“…Their study covered a range of protective clothing and they recommended the use of the photographic method. Another, a recent study 12) 26) stated that the influence of f cl on I cl is generally small. However, the subjective feeling or an objective measure, e.g.…”

“…In a recent publication on modern western clothing database Smallcombe et al 10) suggest new equations: (12) or f cl =1.0+1.697I cl (13) if with fixed constant. These last equations were tested by Smallcombe et al 10) for basic clothing insulation less than 1 clo, i.e.…”

Validation of ISO 9920 clothing item insulation summation method based on an ambulance personnel clothing system

“…More research is needed to validate the relationship or develop new ones based on clothing design, that considers draping, overlap, length and number of the layers, material stiffness, material compressibility etc. The recent studies in the field have started to fill this gap 3 , 5 , 28 ) .…”

“…Clothing parameters for body regions can be measured, and the change due to walking and wind can be estimated 2 , 3 , 4 ) . Local values can be used in advanced physiological models for exposure evaluation 5 , 6 ) and as a feedback for clothing manufacturers to improve their products, or for industries to select the clothing provided to their employees.…”