Adaptive thermal sensation evaluation model in tents for Western Sichuan Plateau of China: A field study

Abstract

The Western Sichuan Plateau (WSP), which is located in the eastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, exhibits a unique climate featuring high altitude, thin air, low air temperature, and strong solar radiation. The local residents have developed a unique thermal sensation as a result of climatic adaptation, which cannot be accurately described using existing thermal sensation evaluation models. Therefore, we conducted a field study of the thermal sensation of the herdsmen living in tents in two typical areas located in the WSP. We measured the thermal environment parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and black-globe temperature) on site and simultaneously conducted a questionnaire regarding the activity level, clothing insulation, and thermal sensation of the residents. A statistical regression analysis was performed, and the results showed a difference of 5.7 °C and 3.2 °C between the actual and predicted thermal neutral temperatures of the residents in the WSP during winter and summer, respectively. To improve the prediction accuracy, an adaptive predicted mean vote (aPMV) model incorporated with an adaptive coefficient was established for the WSP. The aPMV model can accurately predicted the thermal sensation levels of the local herdsmen living in tents.