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Determining localized garment insulation values from manikin studies: computational method and results

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Abstract

The localized thermal insulation value expresses a garment’s thermal resistance over the region which is covered by the garment, rather than over the entire surface of a subject or manikin. The determination of localized garment insulation values is critical to the development of high-resolution models of sensible heat exchange. A method is presented for determining and validating localized garment insulation values, based on whole-body insulation values (clo units) and using computer-aided design and thermal analysis software. Localized insulation values are presented for a catalog consisting of 106 garments and verified using computer-generated models. The values presented are suitable for use on volume element-based or surface element-based models of heat transfer involving clothed subjects.

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Notes

  1. Poser 5,Curious Labs, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, USA

  2. Rhinoceros 3; Robert McNeel & Associates, Seattle, WA, USA

  3. Radtherm; ThermoAnalytics, Inc., Calumet, MI, USA

Abbreviations

A :

Surface area (m2)

C j :

Fraction of body surface covered by garment j

f cl :

Clothing area factor

\(\bar h\) :

Average convection coefficient (W m−2 °C−1)

h r :

Linearized radiation coefficient (W m−2 °C−1)

I cl :

Garment insulation value (clo)

Q :

Heat transfer rate (W)

R :

Thermal resistance (m2 °C W−1)

T :

Temperature (°C)

T a :

Ambient (air) temperature

T 0 :

Operative temperature (°C)

\(\bar T_{\rm s} \) :

Area-weighted mean surface temperature of the manikin (°C)

U :

Net heat transfer coefficient (W m−2 °C−1)

*:

Localized quantity

a:

Air layer

b:

Body

cl:

Clothing surface

hf:

Hands and feet

j:

Garment index number

s:

Surface

T:

Total (entire manikin)

uncl:

Nude surface

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Program Officer was CDR Stephen Ahlers of ONR and the Technical Monitor was Dr. John Ziriax of the Naval Health Research Center Detachment at Brooks City Base. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as official Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy, Department of Defense or U.S. government position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documentations. Trade names of materials and/or products of commercial or non-government organizations are cited as needed for precision. These citations do not constitute official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial materials and/or products. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

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Author notes

  1. J. S. Curlee

    Present address: ThermoAnalytics, Inc., Novi, MI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    D. A. Nelson

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    J. S. Curlee

  3. ThermoAnalytics, Inc., Calumet, MI, 49913, USA

    A. R. Curran

  4. U.S. Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks City Base, TX, 78235, USA

    J. M. Ziriax

  5. U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Bioeffects Division, Brooks City Base, TX, 78235, USA

    P. A. Mason

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Correspondence to D. A. Nelson.

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Nelson, D.A., Curlee, J.S., Curran, A.R. et al. Determining localized garment insulation values from manikin studies: computational method and results. Eur J Appl Physiol 95, 464–473 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0033-4

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