• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.25 no.7
• /
• pp.951-961
• /
• 2016

To prevent increasing instances of heat-related illnesses due to heat waves generated by climate change, a customized thermal environment index should be developed for outdoor workers. In this study, we conducted sensitivity analysis of the Masan harbor during a heat wave period (August 9th to 15th, 2013) using the MENEX model with metabolic rate and clothing-insulation data, in order to obtain realistic information about the thermal environment. This study shows that accurate input data are essential to gather information for thermophysiological indices (PST, DhR, and OhR). PST is sensitive to clothing insulation as a function of clothing. OhR is more sensitive to clothing insulation during the day and to the metabolic rate at night. From these results, it appears that when exposed to high-temperature thermal environments in summer, wearing highly insulated clothing and getting enough rest (to lower the metabolic rate) can aid in preventing heat-related illnesses. Moreover, in the case of high-intensity harbor work, quantification of allowed working time (OhR) during heat waves is significant for human health sciences.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1045-1052
• /
• 2010

Effects of the ease of pattern on the thermal conditions of clothing were investigated through the measurement of clothing surface temperatures using infrared thermography. Four vests with different pattern ease were worn by five male subjects. Surface temperature distribution on the clothing were then examined using a thermogram to view thermo-regulating characteristics affected by the ease of pattern. Representative surface temperatures were calculated based on the percentage of the surface area within a certain temperature range and the midpoint value of the corresponding area. Representative surface temperatures matches well to the thermal insulation value measured by thermal manikin. Results indicated that representative surface temperature could be a useful quantitative value if some simple calculations were to be used alongside accurate image processing.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2013

This study investigated the relationship of clothing microclimate and physiological responses in order to examine the layering effects on the clothing microclimate as an index to predict clothing thermal insulation ($I_{cl}$). Experiments were conducted in a $15^{\circ}C$ environment on six physically active males. Increased clothing layers resulted in higher mean temperature inside the clothing ($\bar{T}_{cl}$) and $I_{cl}$. The $I_{cl}$ had a high correlation with: $\bar{T}_{cl}$ (r = 0.556), the difference between the innermost surface temperature and the outermost surface temperature at the chest (DST) (r = 0.549) and the temperature inside clothing at the abdomen (r = 0.478). $\bar{T}_{cl}$ had the highest correlation with the temperature inside clothing at the abdomen (r = 0.889). $\bar{T}_{cl}$ also had the highest correlation with $\bar{T}_{sk}$ (r = 0.860). The results showed that the relationship between $I_{cl}$ and $\bar{T}_{cl}$ was linear (p < .01). Thermal comfort had a negative correlation with $\bar{T}_{cl-thigh}$ (r=-0.411) and $\bar{T}_{cl}$ (r = -0.323) (p < .01.)

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.775-783
• /
• 2015

This study investigates gender differences in cold perceptions and wearing behaviors for cold adaptation. A questionnaire composed of items on cold perceptions, intentions toward wearing additional clothing, and clothing for outdoor environments, among others, was used. Each item in the survey targeted 260 male (MS) and female (FS) college students evaluated using a five-point Likert-type scale. Data were statistically analyzed using the independent sample t-test and correlations. Main results can be summarized as follows: MS subjects showed lower dependence on the thermal insulation of clothing because they felt less cold and had the better ability to cope with cold. MS subjects had higher dependence on underwear during cold seasons, and FS subjects tended to wear heavier clothing to compensate for their cold feet with insufficient insulation. In addition, it was preferable to estimate thermal effects of actual wear by taking into account gender differences in the physique. The study is limited in that the room temperature and the actual amount of clothing were not measured, which offers an avenue for future research.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate thermal properties of pesticide protective clothing made of three different nonwoven fabrics which have barrier properties of pesticide. In order to assay the thermal properties of experimental clothing, thermal resistance measurements for clo value and thermographic assessment were conducted using a surface temperature controlled thermal manikin. The thermal manikin was dressed with underwear and experimental clothing. Air temperature in a climate chamber was kept at $28^{\circ}C$ and its humidity was 70% RH. Air velocity was controlled at less than 0.15m/s. Inner radient temperature was almost equal to the air temperature. The basic thermal insulation value(Icl) of underwear was 0.28 clo. The thermal properties of the experimental clothing were varied according to the type of material used in construction. The basic clothing insulation value for C1(spunbonded nonwoven fabric), C2(spunlaced nonwoven fabric), C3(SMS nonwoven fabric) were 0.705 clo, 0.725 clo, 0.738 clo respectively. The C3 experimental clothing made of SMS resulted in higher surface temperatures than the others with more yellowing spots being evident on the thermogram.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.294-303
• /
• 2012

This study was designed to develop air force mechanic parka, evaluate it, and ultimately provide functionally superior parka to the air force. The development process was 1) conducting a survey, 2) identifying problems and shortcomings of currently-supplied parkas, and 3) improving the design, pattern and materials. The newly-developed parkas were evaluated in terms of their ease of fit, clothing mobility, and insulation. Ease of fit was evaluated by subjects' sensory tests, and clothing mobility was by fitness-for-motion tests and range-of-motion tests using a Goniometer. Evaluation on insulation was conducted by thermal manikins. Findings of this study were as follows: 1. In the subjective evaluation on clothing mobility, new parkas were considered to have sufficient ease of fit while previous ones scored much lower, confirming the improvement of the new version. 2. Both subjective tests and ROM measurements on fitness for motion verified the superiority of the new parkas. 3. Insulation tests found that although insulation capability of newly-developed parkas was at a similar level to those of the previous ones, their insulation capability per unit weight was superior, demonstrating that new parkas were better at blocking heat conduction. When making changes in parka patterns and designs to enhance the mobility, it was necessary to maintain the insulation function. The new parkas developed by this study was verified to be superior to the previous ones in their insulation and clothing mobility.

• Proceedings of KHEA Conference
• /
• 1997.07a
• /
• pp.120-120
• /
• 1997

• The Magazine of the Society of Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.590-605
• /
• 1987

The purpose of this study was to investigate thermal environmental factors, thermal clothing properties, and thermal sensation of the office workers in four selected office buildings in Seoul, and to determine the effect of thermal environmental factors and clothing insulation to the thermal sensation of the subjects. The subjects selected from each office were 5 males and 5 females at a time. Thermal environmental factors(DBT, GT, RH, MRT, $ET^{\ast}$) and clothing variables such as clothing weight per body surface $area(g/m^2)$ and estimated clothing insulation values(clo) were significantly different among each seasons(p<0,001). Means of $ET^{\ast}$ and estimated clothing insulation values of each season were as follows; Winter; $20.84^{\circ}C$ $ET^{\ast}$ with 0.72 clo for male and 0.79 clo for female Spring and fall; $23.65^{\circ}C$ $ET^{\ast}$ with 0.59 clo for male and 0.68 clo for female Summer; $26.00^{\circ}C$ $ET^{\ast}$ with 0.47 clo for male and 0.53 clo for female. In comparison these data with ASHRAE Standard, the subjects were predicted to feel comfort-able in spring and fall, and slightly hot in summer and slightly cold in winter because of high and low clo respectively. But the result of this survey showed more than $80\%$ of the occupants were thermally comfortable at a given environmental temperature and clo.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.549-556
• /
• 2014

This study evaluates the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of a waterproof and breathable garment system and determines the factors influencing its thermal performance. The experimental garments were composed of underwear (shirts with 100% wool and 100% polyester) and outerwear (jackets and pants with a vapor-permeable membrane and a vapor-impermeable membrane). Data on clothing insulation in a dry condition ($10^{\circ}C$) and a wet condition ($10^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H.), evaporative resistance ($34^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H., and $10^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H.), and microclimate vapor pressure were collected and analyzed. According to the results, the thermal insulation of the experimental garment system ranged 1.27~1.40 in the dry condition and 0.40~0.89 in the wet condition at $10^{\circ}C$. Evaporative resistance ranged $41{\sim}525m^2Pa/W$. A decrease in thermal insulation by wetting underwear ranged 31~67% in the cold condition ($10^{\circ}C$). The breathability of the outer garment influenced the decrease in thermal insulation by wetting. The type of underwear fiber influenced the decrease in thermal insulation only when it was used with breathable outerwear. The vapor-permeable outerwear sample with polyester underwear (P_Perm) showed a larger decrease in insulation than that with wool (W_Perm). The evaporative resistance of the vapor-permeable ensemble showed no effect of underwear in the warm condition ($34^{\circ}C$), but polyester underwear showed lower evaporative resistance than wool in the cold condition ($10^{\circ}C$). The vapor-impermeable ensemble showed no difference in evaporative resistance between polyester underwear and wool underwear in both conditions. Future research should consider various clothing ensemble combinations and environmental conditions and evaluate wear comfort by using human subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.388-399
• /
• 1989

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of garment design, fabric type and the presence of lining on the thermal insulation value $(I_{cle}\;and\;I{cl})$ and clothing area factor $(f_{cl})$ of skirts. A standing, electrically heated thermal maninkin was used to measure the insultation value of eighty skirts-five skirt styles with eight different fabrics, with and without lining. The air temperature of the chamber was set at $22.2^{\circ}C{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ , air velocity was limited to less than 0.1 m/s, and relative humidity was approximately $50\%$. The results are as follows: 1) The Ic, values of gathered skirt and flared skirt, which had high $f_{cl}$ values, were significantly higher than those of other skirts, though the highest $I_{cle}$ value among five styles wer pegged skirt. 2) Insulation values of various skirts were more relevant with physical properties such as thickness, air permeability, and thermal transmission of the materials rather than fiber content. 3) The addition of lining made significant difference in the insulation values of skirts and the differences of gathered and flared skirt were significantly higher than those of othere types of skirts.