Effects of Regional Sweating on Heat and Moisture Transfer in Human-Clothing-Environment Systems

Abstract

To design comfortable clothing in hot environment, heat and moisture transfer in human-clothing-environment systems considered sweating responses must be evaluated. In this study, the regional sweat rate and evaporation was measured using wearable hygrometers and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis in clothing microclimate based on the measured value was conducted. The results of the sweat evaporation measurement were validated by body weight loss. To estimate the air temperature, velocity, and relative humidity distribution in and around clothing, the simplified cylinder model for torso of adult male wearing single-layered clothing under natural convection was examined. The results of CFD analysis showed that the air tended to rise and drift toward a neck slit by human heat generation. Influential factors on moisture transfer characteristics of sweating at abdomen were clarified. These results may become useful database for clothing design and prediction of thermal comfort.