deliverable 3.1. : Dynamic model thermo-physiol. worker
Authors: Dusan Fiala, George Havenith and Hein Daanen
Rationale
The purpose of this task is to provide a detailed numerical simulation model of a worker predicting his/her thermo-physiological responses to different heat stress industrial environments.
Methods
The method used employs (i) redefinition of the physiological model to accept thermal conditions at the body surface and, (ii) modelling physiological responses of workers featuring different personal characteristics.
Results
The FPC multi-node model of human heat transfer was adapted and extended to adequately predict thermo-physiological responses of workers exposed to warm and hot environmental conditions. The model was modified for use with thermal conditions at the body surface to enable arbitrary exposures to be simulated. A human anthropometry model was developed which simulates changes in human anthropometric and morphological body properties and their impact on physiological responses. An individual heat stress response model was implemented which simulates the effect of physical fitness and acclimatisation status on physiological responses of workers. The model was validated against experiments involving subjects featuring different personal characteristics. The validation revealed the personalized model to predict body core temperature typically within 0.2K root mean square deviation from measured responses.
Applicability
The thermo-physiological model of a worker will support the development of the Prospie PPE with optimised sensor configuration and the sought physiological algorithms by means of detailed numerical simulation and analysis.