Human behavior in different TDRAs

Abstract

Operative temperature is a synthesis index for radiant temperature and air temperature. The objective of this paper was to investigate human behavior in the environment that the temperature difference between radiant and air temperature (TDRA) was 0, 5, 8 and 10°C. The four types of TDRA were controlled in two operative temperatures, 28 and 32°C. The skin temperatures, thermal sensation vote (TSV) and thermal comfort vote (TCV) were recorded. The results showed that when TDRA was 0–5°C, the mean skin temperature (MST) had no change, and the local skin temperature (LST) had little change except for face and upper arm. However, when TDRA was above 5°C, the MST and LST decreased with the increment of TDRA. During the whole course that TDRA increased from 0 to 10°C, the thermal sensation changed from warm to cool. So in high radiant temperature, human body could keep normal skin temperature and thermal comfort by decreasing air temperature. The conclusions were significant for the physiological behavior of human.