• Title/Summary/Keyword: comfort sensation

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Evaluation of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index for Digital Fashion Application in Outdoor Environments

  • Kwon, JuYoun;Parsons, Ken
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.23-36
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    • 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.

Development of Slacks Pattern for Old Aged Abdominal Obese Women (복부 비만 노년 여성을 위한 슬랙스 패턴 개발)

  • Kim, Seon-Ok;Kweon, Soo-Ae;Yoo, Jung-Ja
    • Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.157-166
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    • 2009
  • This study was conducted to evaluate the differences in external appearances and functional qualities between the slacks which were patterned on existing designs and on a new design in order to improve on their level of comfort of ready-made clothes for abdominally fat women. Five abdominally fat women in their 60's were chosen as experimental participants. Twenty-four external evaluation items, and seven different actions involving six moving parts of the body were investigated with a 5-level scale in the repeated wearing test. The results were analyzed by statistical methods. The newly designed pattern in this study was definitely superior to the other two patterns(L-type and K-type) on the external appearance evaluation. The newly pattern removed a waist belt and a dart from the front part of the garment and gave surplus space around the waist. It prevented superfluous wrinkles at the abdominal region and thighs. The superfluous wrinkles at the side regions also disappeared due to the length (inseam) reduction from waist to crotch. The newly pattern made the center-line of the back side slightly sloped to the main pattern in order to remove the drooped line. The newly pattern showed the highest score in the functional test of several actions. It was due to the reduction of the length from waist to crotch as well as the belt width. It made waist-line movement better, and made it easier and more comfortable to sit down. The newly pattern also showed the highest score in the functional test classified by specific movements of parts of the body for the same purpose. The slacks which were made of elastic materials showed better results than the non-elastic ones on external appearances and functional test items. It showed that the elastic materials played a better role in the increase of functional action of abdominally fat, aged women. This study suggests that the newly designed slacks pattern could give abdominally fat, aged women better external features and a more comfortable fitting sensation. As well, the results were significant as basic data to produce ready-made and/or tailer-made garments.

The Study about Improvement of Neuro Energy Decreased by Energy Saving (에너지절감에 의해 감소되는 뉴로에너지의 증강에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Myung-Ho;Kang, Dong-Sik
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.19 no.6
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    • pp.715-721
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    • 2018
  • This study examined energy saving and elevating the worker's neuro energy (comfort, concentration, physical, and psychological stability) by compensating for the unpleasant tactile sensation to stimulate auditory and olfactory senses and reduce energy consumption. The experiment was conducted in an environment test room under the test conditions of temperature $25[^{\circ}C]$, relative humidity 50[RH%], illumination 1,000[lux] and air current speed 0.02[m/sec] by stimulating the auditory senses with a 1/f change in rhythm and the olfactory senses with an aroma scent. The experiment utilized the method of EEG, which evaluates human body's psychological status via tactile means, and the method of the vibra image, which evaluates the learning abilities, HRV and human body's psychological status via non-tactile means. The subjects were selected as eight university students (four males and four females) in their 20s, the type that have high relative ${\alpha}$(8~13[Hz]) activation in occipital lobe, which brings the highest level of mind stability and concentration, who had no difficulty in physical activities. The subjects' posture and physical activity was fixed to 1met - when the subjects are seated and relaxing in a comfortable environment - and their clothes condition was standardized as 0.7clo. As a result, the sentimental and psychological stability and concentration were the highest in the multisensory stimulation of jasmine scent and change rhythm of an a=1.106 sound source. In addition, under this condition, the relative $M{\alpha}$ and relative $M{\beta}$ increased by 70.49[%] and 89.72[%], respectively; the HRT decreased by 39.09[%]; and the fatigue and tension/anxiety decreased by 36.85[%] and 15.54[%], respectively.

An Experiment of Discomfort Glare from Non-uniform Glare Source (불균일한 휘도를 갖는 창면의 불쾌글레어 평가실험)

  • Shin, Ju-Young;Kim, Jeong-Tai;Kim, Won-Woo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2009
  • Impact of daylighting on the visual environment can improve occupant's well-being by providing visual comfort. Also, daylighting can save energy. However, glare from window can be a direct hazard to vision and can cause serious discomfort. Selecting glare source on a window plane is very important for evaluating discomfort glare from windows. But former glare indices can not identify the range of the glare source properly. In this study, difference in glare sensation with uniform and non-uniform glare sources are evaluated to identify the range of the glare source. The glare source was assumed as $120{\times}120[cm]$ window model. The window was divided into three parts with different luminance values. The experiment was conducted under 1[m], 1.5[m], 3[m] distance from the glare source. Two results were obtained from the experiments. First, the degree of discomfort glare increased as average window luminance increased. Second, the middle and lower part of the window plane can affect evaluation of discomfort glare as well as the upper part of the window plan. These results can be used for selecting the glare source in a window with non-uniform luminance.

Subjective Symptoms according to Fitting Test in Soft Contact Lens Wearers (소프트콘택트렌즈 착용자의 피팅 상태 확인 유무에 따른 자각적 증상)

  • Kim, Jung-Hee;An, Youngju
    • The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.431-442
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    • 2018
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate subjective symptoms according to the wearing, purchase and fitting status of soft contact lens wearers, and consumer perception of base curve. Methods : A survey was conducted for those who visited optical shops and lens shops in Seoul from June to August 2018. A total of 98 answer sheets they submitted were used for the analysis. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare subjective symptoms (dryness, glare, uncomfortable fitting, and decreased vision) according to whether fitting condition is screened (case history and push-up test, ect relevant to wearing sensation), and the odds ratio (OR) was obtained by the logistic regression analysis. Results : When the contact lenses were purchased, the rate of which the visual acuity test was performed was 86.6% at optical shop and 64.7% at lens shop. When purchasing contact lens and the contact lens was not tested for fitting, they more experienced dryness (OR 4.41, 95% CI 1.25-15.62) and uncomfortable fitting (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.08-6.64) than testing for fitting. In addition, it was investigated that 87.8% of contact lens wearers did not know about the term base curve, 92.9% did not listen to an explanation related to the base curve when purchasing contact lenses, and 96.9% did not experience with base curve test. Conclusion : It would be thought that satisfaction of the contact lens fitting of existing consumers should be improved by changing a proper base curve by confirming the fitting condition when prescribing soft contact lens.

Influence of Playground Land Covers on the Human Thermal Sensation (운동장 포장재료가 인간 열환경에 미치는 영향)

  • Hyun, Cheolji;Jo, Sangman;Park, Sookuk
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.12-21
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    • 2019
  • In order to investigate the effect of various pavement materials (artificial grass, natural grass, and clay sand) on the human thermal environment, the microclimate data in early autumn (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and shortwave and longwave radiation) were measured and compared on each surface. The mean air temperature, humidity and wind speed of the pavement materials did not differ significantly and showed the greatest difference in the mean radiant temperature. Natural grass, which has the highest albedo, has the highest amount of shortwave radiation. The artificial turf had the highest surface temperature and the highest amount of longwave radiation. In the human thermal environment index PET, artificial grass > clay sand > natural grass. Natural grass had a maximum 2/3 level lower and a mean 1/2 level lower in PET as compared to artificial grass. The clay sand pavement had a maximum 2/3 level lower and a mean 1/3 level lower than the artificial grass. Natural grass had a maximum 1/3 level lower than the clay sand pavement. Their UTCIs showed smaller differences than the PETs. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully choose materials from the planning stage when designing outdoor spaces, including playgrounds.

A Study on Visitor Satisfaction for Bukhansan Dulegil (북한산 둘레길 이용객 만족도에 관한 연구)

  • Cho, Woo-Hyun;Yun, Hui-Jae;Im, Seung-Bin
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.60-73
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    • 2011
  • Since Jeju Ollegil opened in September 2007 and attracted the sensation of popularity throughout the country, the interest in 'Walking Trails' has increased, and the central ministries and the local governments composite and assign various 'Walking Trails'. Walking trails are not tours on which people go to see one spot and move to another spot by vehicle, but a long linear journey that leads people to see, to feel and to experience a region's landscape and culture while walking on the trail. 'Walking Trails' are efficient routes to discover and to use a former way and to link the various ecological regions' histories and cultural resources, so it is most important to select a route. Although the routes were selected by considering the various planning factors and giving each route a specified theme, some problems like the inconvenience of visitors caused by lack of facilities have occurred. After designation and construction of the trails, they were not properly evaluated by visitors. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to suggest a better way to construct the trails by surveying visitor satisfaction and by analyzing the impact of planning a route on visitor satisfaction at Bukhansan Dulegil which was completed. For this study, with a questionnaire based on the literature review to identify the important planning factors for selecting a route, a survey was conducted on visitor satisfaction for each section and their intention to revisit and to recommend that trail. Based on the characteristics of each section that was identified in the field research, the trails were classified into five types and satisfaction of each type and each type was analyzed. In addition, analyzing the impact of planning factors on satisfaction, the impact of satisfaction on revisiting and recommending and visitors' perception of the theme, further improvement for better construction of the trail was presented. Satisfaction of sectors with strong natural elements was higher; 'walking comfort' was the highest planning factor affecting satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction was surveyed to have high influence on revisiting and recommending.