Angle Factors and Projected Area Factors for Comfort Analysis of Subjects in Complex Confined Enclosures: Analytical Relations and Experimental Results

Abstract

The paper addresses an important problem in the evaluation of the thermal comfort of people living or working in confined spaces, typical of the current architecture. In details, a new algorithm is proposed for the evaluation of the angle factors of people within rooms characterised by complex shapes, where the envelope components are not always mutually orthogonal. The algorithm is based on field data obtained by means of an experimental photographic apparatus which allows measurements of projected area factors of seated or standing people in such complex confined environments.