Modeling Comparative Thermal Performance of Lightweight Fabrics Using a Computational Design Tool
Abstract
Lightweight fabrics are of current interest for new military uniforms under development for hot and humid conditions. Tropical environments present a unique set of challenges such as the need to minimize heat stress, while still providing protection from disease-carrying organisms that are often pervasive in these environments. Thermal comfort is particularly important and will be highly dependent on the ability of the fabric to maximize evaporative cooling and heat exchange with the environment. In the work presented in this report, a computational design tool was used to compare the relative performance of a set of fabrics that would potentially be used in a new lightweight military uniform. These predicted coefficients can be used by themselves or input into human heat balance equations to predict relative performance differences under specific environmental conditions of wind speed, relative humidity, and environmental temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1033261
Entities
People
- Judith Sennett
- Phillip Gibson
Organizations
- United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center