Abstract
Solar radiation is one of the most important factors in outdoor thermal comfort assessment. Many thermal indices require mean radiant temperature as an input parameter in their calculation. In this report, three conventional methods for calculating mean radiant temperature in outdoors were reviewed; (a) based on measured short and long-wave radiation fluxes from six directions (front, back, right, left, up, and down), (b) based on measured short and long-wave radiation fluxes form two directions (upper and lower hemispheres), and (c) based on measured globe temperature as well as air temperature and air velocity. In practice, the suitable method for mean radiant temperature should be determined based on measuring instruments available and required accuracy.
