• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2004

Focusing on WBGT(Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer Index) according to the LAI(Leaf Area Index) variation of trees, this study verifies the effects of urban shade trees on the outdoor thermal environment. As for methodology, air$.$globe temperature, air humidity and WBGT were measured under three shade trees whose LAIs were 2.1, 4.0 and 8.2 respectively at midday(12:00-13:00) of 14 sunny days from the 4th through the 29th day of September 2003. Those factors were also measured at the unshaded areas and compared with the values of shaded areas. The measured site was paved with interlocking concrete bricks. The measurements were analyzed through the ANCOV A(Analysis of Covariance) and the regression routines of SPSS11 for windows (SPSS Inc., 2001). The major findings were as follows. 1. The direct correlation between WBGT and LAI was very low. On the contrary, the WBGT showed close correlation with air$.$globe temperature and air humidity, and the LAI also showed very close correlation with globe temperature. These results tell that dominant shading effect by the tree is on the screening of direct solar radiation which lower the globe temperature and WBGT consequently. 2. While the average globe temperatures and WBGT at unshadowed area were 40.4$^{\circ}C$ and 26.2$^{\circ}C$ respectively, the former under the shade tree with LAI 2.1, 4.0 and 8.2 were 34.5$^{\circ}C$, 32.6$^{\circ}C$ and 30.2$^{\circ}C$, and the latter were 24.6$^{\circ}C$, 24$^{\circ}C$ and 23.4$^{\circ}C$ respectively. 3. The relationship between LAI(x) and WBGT(y) can be presented with the following equation: y = 24.23+1.53 $e^{-x}$+0.36x $e^{-x}$+0.46 $x^2$ $e^{-x}$ ($R^2$ =.98) =.98)

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 2010

The objective of this study is to determine the dominance effects of environmental factors such as Illuminance, humidity and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) on the operators' productivity at Malaysian electronic industry. A case study was carried out at an electronic components assembly factory. The environmental factors examined were the Illuminance (lux), humidity and WBGT of the surrounding workstation area. Two sets of representative data including the illuminance, humidity and WBGT level and production rate were collected during the study. The production rate data were collected through observations and survey questionnaires while the illuminance level was measured using photometer model RS 180-7133, the humidity and WBGT level were measured by using Quest Temp apparatus and humidity. Taguchi Method was utilized to find the sequence of dominant factors that contributed to the productivity of operator at that specified production workstation. The study reveals that the dominant factor contributed to the productivity was WBGT, followed by illuminance and humidity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2013

This study aims to measure the thermal comfort effects of urban street trees. As the usual dry bulb air temperature does not indicate properly how the average pedestrian feels the heat of a typical summer day under the strong sunshine, we adopted the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature(WBGT). WBGT involves black globe temperature to measure the direct radiation of sun beams on our bodies, for example our heads. We measured temperatures on very sunny and hot summer days, August 3, 4, and 7, 2012, on the urban streets of Seoul, Korea. Wet bulb, globe, and dry bulb temperatures were measured under direct sunlight from 1 O'clock to 5 O'clock pm. Globe and dry bulb temperatures were measured under street tree shades nearby during the same hours. Then the WBGTs were calculated with the formulae, one for sunny outdoor spaces, and the other for shaded outdoor spaces or indoor. The results are compared with the Korean Standards Association(KS A ISO 7243). The major findings were: 1) On very sunny and hot summer days in Seoul, street tree shades lower the WBGT about 1 to 4 degrees, 2) during the hours of 3 and 4 O'clock in the afternoon, the WBGT under the tree shades are about 3 to 4 degrees lower compared to those under sunshines(approx. 29 to 32 degrees respectively), 3) This difference makes a major thermal comfort for urban pedestrians because senior citizens or weak persons are recommended to move indoor, and even healthy people are recommended stop outdoor sports and take rests in the shades when WBGT is about 32. On the other hand, if the WBGT is around 29, or 3 degrees lower, slower walking, light works or sports are allowable, 4) On site questionnaire survey confirms the thermal comforts under the tree shades, and we even could not get survey subjects on the sunny parts of the sidewalks, 5) We strongly recommend change of guidelines for urban street trees from "one row of street trees on 6m~8m intervals" to "street trees to make continuous shades".

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1399-1405
• /
• 2017

We compared the spatial distribution of several heat stress indices (the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature(WBGT) index, Environmental Stress Index (ESI), and Modified Discomfort Index(MDI)) for the heat wave of June 6~August 26, 2016, in Daegu. We calculated the heat stress indices using data from the high density urban climate observation network in Daegu. The observation system was established in February. 2013. We used data from a total of 38 air temperature observation points (23 thermometers and 18 automatic weather stations). The values of the heat stress indices indicated that the danger level was very high from 0900-2000h in downtown Daegu. The daily maximum value of the WBGT was greater than or equal to $35^{\circ}C$. The differences in the heat stress indices from downtown and rural areas were higher in the daytime than at nighttime. The maximum difference was about 4 before and after 1400h, and the time variations of the heat stress indices corresponded well. Thus, we were able to confirm that the ESI and MDI can be substituted with the WBGT index.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.232-235
• /
• 2018

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the heat stress and semen quality among male workers in a steel industry in Iran and investigate the relationship between heat stress indices and semen parameters. Methods: The study was conducted on workers exposed (n = 30) and unexposed (n = 14) to heat in a steel industry. After obtaining a brief biography of the selected employees, scrotal temperature, oral temperature, and environmental parameters were measured, and their semen samples were analyzed according to the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization. The heat stress indices, including wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS), in their workplace were calculated according to environmental parameters (ISO 7243:1989 and 7933:2004, respectively). Results: Time-weighted averages of WBGT and PHS ($35.76^{\circ}C$ and 491.56 $w/m^2{\frac{w}{m^2}}$, respectively) for the exposed group were higher than threshold limit values. The mean difference of environmental, physiological, and semen parameters (exception: pH of semen), and also WBGT and PHS indices were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Mean semen parameters were in the normozoospermic range. WBGT and PHS indices showed significantly "negative" correlation with physiological parameters (scrotal and oral temperature) and most semen parameters (semen volume, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count; p < 0.05); moreover, the correlation of WBGT with these parameters was stronger than PHS. Conclusion: Semen parameters of the studied workers exposed to heat were in the borderline level of normozoospermic range, and their semen parameters were significantly lower than controls. For better assessment of occupational environment concerning physiological and semen parameters in steel industries, WBGT can be a more useful index.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.23-36
• /
• 2017

Objective: This paper presents a study to evaluate the WBGT index for assessing the effects of a wide range of outdoor weather conditions on human responses. Background: The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index was firstly developed for the assessment of hot outdoor conditions. It is a recognised index that is used world-wide. It may be useful over a range of outdoor conditions and not just for hot climates. Method: Four group experiments, involving people performing a light stepping activity, were conducted to determine human responses to outside conditions in the U.K. They were conducted in September 2007 (autumn), December 2007 (winter), March 2008 (spring) and June 2008 (summer). Environmental measurements included WBGT, air temperature, radiant temperature (including solar load), humidity and wind speed all measured at 1.2m above the ground, as well as weather data measured by a standard weather station at 3m to 4m above the ground. Participants' physiological and subjective responses were measured. When the overall results of the four seasons are considered, WBGT provided a strong prediction of physiological responses as well as subjective responses if aural temperature, heart rate and sweat production were measured. Results: WBGT is appropriate to predict thermal strain on a large group of ordinary people in moderate conditions. Consideration should be given to include the WBGT index in warning systems for a wide range of weather conditions. However, the WBGT overestimated physiological responses of subjects. In addition, tenfold Borg's RPE was significantly different with heart rate measured for the four conditions except autumn (p<0.05). Physiological and subjective responses over 60 minutes consistently showed a similar tendency in the relationships with the $WBGT_{head}$ and $WBGT_{abdomen}$. Conclusion: It was found that either $WBGT_{head}$ or $WBGT_{abdomen}$ could be measured if a measurement should be conducted at only one height. The relationship between the WBGT values and weather station data was also investigated. There was a significant relationship between WBGT values at the position of a person and weather station data. For UK daytime weather conditions ranging from an average air temperature of $6^{\circ}C$ to $21^{\circ}C$ with mean radiant temperatures of up to $57^{\circ}C$, the WBGT index could be used as a simple thermal index to indicate the effects of weather on people. Application: The result of evaluation of WBGT might help to develop the smart clothing for workers in industrial sites and improve the work environment in terms of considering workers' wellness.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2010

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of landscaping pavements on WBGT(Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature) of outdoor spaces that lack ventilation and shade at summer midday. The relative humidity(RH), dry-bulb temperature(DT) and globe temperature(GT) were recorded every minute from June to October 2009 at a height of 1.2m above ten experimental beds with different pavements, by a measuring system consisting of an electric humidity sensor(GHM-15), resistance temperature detector(RTD, Pt-100), standard black globe(${\phi} 150mm$) and data acquisition systems(National Instrument's Labview and Compact FieldPoint). Additionally, the surface dry-bulb temperatures also were recorded and compared. The area of each experimental bed was 1.5m(W)${\times}$2.0m(L) and ten different kinds of pavement were used including grass, grass+cubic stone, grass+porous brick, brick, stone panels, cubic stone, interlocking blocks, clay brick, naked soil, gravel and concrete. To prevent interference from ventilation, a 1.5m height cubic steel frame was established around each bed and each vertical side of the frame was covered with transparent polyethylene film. Based on the records of the hottest period from noon to 3 PM on 26 days with a peak dry-bulb temperature over $30^{\circ}C$ at natural condition, the wet-bulb temperature(WT) and WBGT were calculated and compared. The major findings were as follows: 1. The average surface DT was $40.1^{\circ}C$, which is $9^{\circ}C$ higher than that of the natural condition. The surface DT of the pavements with grass were higher than those of concrete and interlocking block. The peak DT of the surface almost every pavement rose to above $50^{\circ}C$ during the hottest time. 2. The averages of DT, WT and GT were $40.1^{\circ}C$, $27.5^{\circ}C$ and $49.1^{\circ}C$, and the peak values rose to $48.1^{\circ}C$, $45.8^{\circ}C$ and $59.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. In spite of slight differences that resulted according to pavements, no coherent differentiating factor could be found. 3. The average WBGT of grass was the highest at $34.3^{\circ}C$ while the others were similar in the range of around $33{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. Meanwhile, the peak WBGT was highest with stone panel at $47.9^{\circ}C$. Though there were some differences according to pavements, and while grass seemed to be worst in terms of WBGT, it seems difficult to say ablolutely that grass was the worst because the measurement was conducted without ventilation and shade during summer daytime hours only, which had temperatures that rose to a dangerous degree(above $45^{\circ}C$ WBGT), withering the grass during the hottest period. The average WBGT resulted also showed that the thermal environment of the pavement without ventilation and shade were at an intolerable level for humans regardless of the pavement type. In summary, the results of this study show that ventilation and shade are more important factor than pavement type in terms of outdoor thermal comfort in summer daylight hours.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.402-413
• /
• 2022

Objectives: In this study, the scale of exceeding the extreme heat exposure standard at the construction site was estimated using the nationally approved statistical data and wet bulb globe temperature modeling method. By comparing and analyzing the modeling results with the existing work environment monitoring results, the risk of heat exposure at outdoor construction sites was considered. Methods: Using the coordinates of second level administrative districts and meteorological observatories as the key, the automated synoptic observing system data and building permit data for 2021 were matched. The wet-bulb temperature was obtained using Stull's formula, and the globe temperature was obtained using the Tg_KMA2006 model. WBGT was calculated using these. Excess rates were obtained compared to exposure limits for heavy work-continuous work and moderate work-25% rest. It was compared with the results of the work environment monitoring in 2020. Results: As a result, 1,827,536 cases were estimated for 11,052 workplaces in one year. This is much higher than the 5,116 cases of 3818 workplaces of the existing work environment monitoring results. It is confirmed that the exposure limit was exceeded in 10.6~24.0% of the entire period and 70.2~84.1% of the peak period of the heat wave. It is very high compared to 0.9% of the existing work environment monitoring result. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the system of monitoring and statistics related to extreme heat. Additional considerations are needed regarding WBGT estimation methods, meteorological data, and evaluation time. Various follow-up risk assessment studies for other industries and time series need to be continued.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze air temperature decreasing effects by shading and ventilation at micro-scale experiment plots, especially focused on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) in outdoor spaces. To monitor the time-serial changes of Dry-bulb Temperature (DT), Globe Temperature (GT) and Relative Humidity (RH) in the wind blocking and shading conditions, Two hexahedral steel frames were established on the open grass field, the dimension of each frame was 1.5m(W)${\times}$1.5m(L)${\times}$1.5m(H). Four vertical side of one frame was covered by transparent polyethylene film to prevent wind passing through (Wind break plot; WP). The top side of the other frame was covered with shading curtain which intercept 95% of solar light and energy (Shading plot; SP). And, Another vertical steel frame without any treatment preventing ventilation and sunlight was set up, which represents natural conditions (Control plot; CP). The major findings were as follows; 1. The average globe temperature (GT) was highest at WP showing $50.94^{\circ}C$ and lowest at SP showing $34.58^{\circ}C$. The GT of natural condition (SP) was $42.31^{\circ}C$ locating the midst between WP and SP. The difference of GT of each plot was about $8-16^{\circ}C$, which means the ventilation and shading has significant effect on decreasing the temperature. 2. WP showed the highest average dry-bulb temperature (DT) of $38.41^{\circ}C$ which apparently differ from SP and CP showing $31.94^{\circ}C$ and $33.15^{\circ}C$ respectively. The DT of SP and CP were nearly the same. 3. The average relative humidity (RH) was lowest at WP showing 15.21%, but SP and CP had similar RH 28.79%, 28.02% respectively. 4. The average of calculated WBGT were the highest at the WP ($27.61^{\circ}C$) and the lowest at the SP ($23.64^{\circ}C$). The CP ($25.49^{\circ}C$) was in the middle of the others. As summery, compared with natural condition (CP), the wind blocking increased about $2.11^{\circ}C$ WBGT, but the shading decreased about $1.84^{\circ}C$ WBGT. So It can be apparently said that the open space with much shading trees, sheltering furnitures and well-delivered wind corridor can reduce useless and even harmful energy for human outdoor activity considerably in outdoor spaces.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.23 no.11
• /
• pp.1929-1941
• /
• 2014

Now a days, frequency of abnormally high temperatures like heat wave by global warming and climate change is increasing constantly and the number of patient with heat related illness are jumping rapidly. In this study, we chose the case day for the heat wave in Busan area(Busan and Yangsan), 2013 which it was the most hottest year during 21th century. And then, we analysed the weather condition using automatic synoptic observing system(ASOS) data. Also, four indices, heat index(HI), wet bulb globe temperature(WBGT), Man-ENvironment heat EXchange model(MENEX)'s results like Physiological subjective temperature(PST), Physiological strain(PhS), were calculated to evaluate the thermal comfort and stress quantitatively. However, thermal comfort was different as the each station and thermal comfort index during same time. Busan's thermal indices (HI: hot, WBGT: sweltering, PST: very hot, PhS: very hot) indicated relatively higher than Yansan's (HI: very hot, WBGT: sweltering, PST: very hot, PhS: sweltering). It shows that Busan near coast is relatively more comfortable than Yangsan located in inland.