Development of a Computational Thermal Manikin Applicable in a Nonuniform Thermal Environment—Part 1: Coupled Simulation of Convection, Radiation, and Smith's Human Thermal Physiological Model for Sensible Heat Transfer from a Seated Human Body in Radiant Environment

To predict the thermal sensation of people located in a nonuniform environment, it is very important to clarify the local heat transfer in detail. In this context, the coupled simulation of convection, radiation, and the multi-element thermal physiological model established by Smith is investigated. The sensible heat transfer from the surface of a human body placed in uniform and front-back asymmetric radiant environments, with ambient air temperature of 28°C, was calculated using the coupled simulation method. According to the results, the microclimate around the human body and its thermal characteristics changed in response to the radiant conditions. However, compared with the results of the human subject experiments, which were measured under the same thermal conditions, in terms of skin temperatures, it is indicated that the simulation cannot accurately predict the skin temperature at the limbs, even in a uniform environment. Finally, measures for improving the prediction accuracy of the present coupled simulation method are suggested based on examination of the cause of the discrepancy.