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Modelling Human Heat Transfer and Temperature Regulation

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Book cover The Mechanobiology and Mechanophysiology of Military-Related Injuries

Part of the book series: Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials ((SMTEB,volume 19))

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing demand from research, military and the industry for robust, reliable models predicting human thermophysiological responses. This chapter discusses the various aspects of- and approaches to- modelling human heat transfer and thermoregulation including the passive and the active system, numerical tissue heat transfer, environmental heat exchange, and clothing. Attention is also paid to advanced modelling topics such as model personalisation to predict responses of individuals, and methods for coupling with other simulation models and measurement systems. Several application examples of coupled systems are illustrated including numerical and physical simulation systems and a system for non-invasive assessment of internal temperature using signals from wearable sensors. The predictive performance of the model is discussed based on validation examples covering different exposure scenarios, personal characteristics, physical activities and in conjunction with non-invasive determination of rectal temperature with measured skin temperatures as model input. It is concluded that the model is a robust predictor of human thermophysiological responses, and, the proposed numerical simulation approach to non-invasive assessment of body core temperature, a reliable method applicable to a broad range of exposure conditions, personal characteristics, exercise intensities and types of clothing.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ergonsim—Human Thermal Modelling, Marxzell, Germany

    Dusan Fiala

  2. Loughborough University, Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough, United Kingdom

    George Havenith

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  1. Dusan Fiala
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  2. George Havenith
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Correspondence to Dusan Fiala .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

    Amit Gefen

  2. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

    Yoram Epstein

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Fiala, D., Havenith, G. (2015). Modelling Human Heat Transfer and Temperature Regulation. In: Gefen, A., Epstein, Y. (eds) The Mechanobiology and Mechanophysiology of Military-Related Injuries. Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, vol 19. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/8415_2015_183

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/8415_2015_183

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