A model for predicting thermal sensation of Chinese people

Publication date: December 2014
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 82
Author(s): Xin Zhou , Hui Zhang , Zhiwei Lian , Yufeng Zhang
Chinese may present different thermal response from western people. However, currently most thermal sensation models were developed based on physiological and comfort studies of western people, ethnic and culture differences have not been taken into account. Existing models' performance on predicting Chinese thermal sensation was evaluated. Discrepancies in overall sensation prediction larger than 0.5 scale unit were found, which suggested the necessity of building a sensation model for Chinese people. Combining the rational structure of existing models with the physiological and psychological feature of Chinese people, a Chinese thermal sensation model was then developed. Coupling the established sensation model with a Chinese thermoregulation model built previously, then a complete set of Chinese model for predicting thermal sensation using environmental and human input was established. Through the validations in stable and transient environment, the Chinese model was proved to have better predictions comparing with the western-based models, the discrepancies between model predictions and actual mean overall sensation vote of laboratory studies are within 0.5 scale unit. Furthermore, we embedded an adaptable procedure which made the Chinese model capable to consider the adaptation of certain subpopulation to local climate. Through validations with field studies in four cities, we found this adaptable Chinese model could also be useful in the real building environment.