DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTATIONAL THERMAL MANIKIN

This paper develops a numerical simulation method to address heat and mass transfer characteristics of the human body. This numerical method is called the computational Thermal Manikin (CTM). The CTM is a combined simulation system of airflow, moisture transport, and thermal radiation including a human thermo-physiological model. Airflow, moisture transport, and thermal radiation including a human thermo-physiological model. Airflow, temperature , and moisture field are simulated using three dimensional computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). CFD uses a low-Reynolds-number type k-εturbulence model, with the generalized curvilinear coordinate system (Boundary Fitted Coordinates) to represent the complicated shape of the human body. Thermal radiation is calculated by means of Gebhart's absorption factor method, and view factors are obtained using the Monte Carlo method. Gagge's two-node model is included to simulate the metabolic heat production and the thermoregu-latory control processes of the human body. Furthermorem this paper presents two application samples of the CTM. One is to evaluate thermal sensation through indexes such as PMV or SET* , ETC, which is based on obtained heat transfer characteristics of human body. T he other application for the CTM is to assess air quality in the breathing level based on the predicted microclimate around the human body. The predicted results are very close to those of an actual human body in a similar situation.