Modeling of thermal environment and human response in a crowded space for tropical climate.

In a crowded building space with no air conditioning, heat and moisture emissions from occupants can result in heat stress in the indoor environment, which in turn, causes thermal strain on the human body. In the present paper, a 61-node thermoregulation model is coupled with a thermal environment model of ventilated space to simulate both the thermal conditions and occupant's responses. The coupling model is validated with experimental data at high occupant density in a thermal environmental chamber. Reasonable agreements between the prediction and measurement on thermal environmental conditions, stress level and body temperatures are achieved. The model is a useful tool for design and evaluation of non-air-conditioned building environments.