W10 MicroClimate2 2016
W10 MicroClimate2 2016
W10 MicroClimate2 2016
2016
Today’s Topics
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1. Thermal Comfort
Requirement
“The main function of the built environment is to provide protection from
the stresses imposed by the climate.” (Holger Koch-Nielsen,2002)
Thermal Comfort
Definition:
• In general, it is the sensation of well-being of an individual in a
specific environment.
1. physical / biological
2. safety / survival
3. affection / belonging
4. esteem (self- and by others)
5. self-actualization
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1. Thermal Comfort Requirement
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1. Thermal Comfort Requirement
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2. Human Comfort
• In order to feel comfortable, humans must maintain an
internal body temperature within a narrow range of 36.5 -
37°C.
• Metabolic processes that occur in the human body produce
heat, and the body must lose this heat in order to maintain a
stable internal temperature.
Shivering and
Metabolic heat
sweating begin Heat gain can be
generated by Breathing Heat production
when the body reduced by
the body is causes heat is increased by
cannot control changing
distributed by loss physical activity
heat loss by any posture
flood circulation 7
other means
2. Human Comfort
Thermal exchange between the human body and its environment
• Since the human body aims at maintaining a constant internal
temperature by releasing excess heat to its environment, there is as a result
a continuous exchange of heat between the body and its surrounding.
• conduction
• convection
• long-wave radiation
The heat exchange
process between the
• evaporation human body and its
external environment
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2. Human Comfort
M ± Rd ± Cv ± Cd - Ev = ∆S
Where
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2. Human Comfort
Conduction:
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2. Human Comfort
Convection:
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2. Human Comfort
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2. Human Comfort
Evaporation:
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2. Human Comfort
Evaporation (Cont’d):
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3. The Thermal Environment
Four factors make up the thermal environment.
• Air temperature
• Air movement
• Humidity
• Radiation
Subcutaneous fat
Humidity State of health
(fat under the skin)
The variables that affect heat dissipation from the body can be grouped into three sets
(Environmental, Personal, Contributing factors)
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3. The Thermal Environment
Temperature:
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3. The Thermal Environment
Humidity:
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3. The Thermal Environment
Radiation:
Air movement:
Clothing:
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3. The Thermal Environment
Clothing (Cont’d):
Evaporation cooling/
ventilation in
traditional clothing in
hot environment
Activity levels:
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4. Thermal comfort zone
• The environmental conditions that are considered comfortable vary with
the impact and ratio of the thermal environment factors (temperature,
humidity, wind, etc.) as well as with clothing and level of activity.
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4. Thermal comfort zone
Humidity
- When humidity is high, evaporation accounts for only a very small part
of the energy loss from a person. It is only when humidity is low and
air temperature is high that evaporation can cause significant cooling
in a person.
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5. Effect of Landscape on Thermal Comfort
Air Temperature
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5. Effect of Landscape on Thermal Comfort
Wind
- The speed and direction of wind in a landscape
can be highly variable, both through space and over
time.
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5. Effect of Landscape on Thermal Comfort
Radiation
- Radiation, both solar and terrestrial,
can be highly variable, both through
space and over time, and can also
strongly affect the comfort of
people in landscape.
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5. Effect of Landscape on Thermal Comfort
Conclusion
- This is certainly one of the key points in the whole area of creating
microclimates through landscape design.
- It is much wiser to spend time altering the radiation and the wind,
both of which are readily changed and can significantly affect human
thermal comfort.
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6. Design principles: Thermal Comfort
If it is too hot and humid
(in Tropical countries context):
• there is a need for shade and air movement
to cool the body as well as the surrounding
surfaces to which the body can lose heat by
radiation.
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