Human Adaptation To Thermal Environment In Free Running Building

In the research area of thermal comfort there was “adaptive” and “static” models.The static model is based on extensive experiments exposed to well-controlled,extensive and rigorous laboratory environments. Proponents of adaptive models haveadvocated variable indoor temperature standards that more fully exercise the adaptivecapabilities of building occupants. This approach potentially leads to more responsiveenvironmental control algorithms, enhanced levels of occupant comfort, reducedenergy consumption, and the encouragement of climatically responsive building design.Nowadays, adaptive models were based on field survey carried out in free runningbuildings and established based on thermal sensation votes. However, the actual causalmechanism is left in doubt by such “black box” adaptive models. There is a great needto carry out an in-depth study on the adaptive model both theoretically and practically.First, the main idea of the adaptive theory was summarized through literatureanalysis and the processes of human adaptation to thermal environment in thecharacteristics of were analyzed. Then the existing thermal comfort of inadequacies ofadaptive mechanism were analyzed and summarized. Through theoretical analysis,information entropy method was proposed to study the adaptive process.Andinformation entropy method generation and development was in-depth analysis toverify its applicability.Tthen, the theoretical foundation was laid for this study carryout.On the basis of theoretical studies, year-round indoor thermal environmentinvestigating and thermal comfort survey was collected in hot summer and cold winterzone typical cities of Chongqing, Wuhan, Chengdu, and more than6100feedback wasreceived. The parameters of indoor thermal environment, staff clothing and thermalsensation votes and other information were obtained. The clothing thermal resistanceas characterization of thermal adaptation index, the clothing thermal resistance entropymethod was constructed by using information entropy, and analyzed the relationshipbetween the clothing thermal resistance entropy changes with the indoor airtemperature.TSV entropy was also constructed, the relationship between the TSVentropy changes with the indoor air temperature was analyzed.By using laboratory physiological experiments test and questionnaire researchmethods in free running buildings，year-round data of physiological parameters(such as SCV) and thermal comfort survey was obtained. The SCV entropy was constructedby using information entropy method, the model of the SCV entropy changes with theindoor air temperature was established, and then the mechanism of physiologicalregulation was revealed by analysis. By statistical analysis, the relationship betweenthe subjective thermal sensation and the objective physiological parameters was found.Finally, in this paper, the paradigm of human thermal adaptation which comprisedof three distinct yet interrelated processes-behavioral, physiological, and psychologicalwas analyzed. Feature of behavioral adapaptation and TSV in free running buildingswas revealed. Starting from the automatic control theory, a evaluating method for theindoor thermal environment in free running building based on adaptive mechanismwas established, and a new difination of acceptable range of air temperature based onbehavioral, physiological, and TSV. The hot summer and cold winter zone indooracceptable temperature range was defined by using this method based on behavioral,physiological regulation data combined with thermal sensation polling data, proved theeffectiveness and practicality of the method and the application direction of the methodwas pointed out.