Effects of Clothing Ventilative Designs on Thermal Insulation under Varying Wind Conditions

This paper reports on an experimental investigation of the effects of clothing ventilative designs on thermal comfort measured in terms of thermal insulation. Eight T-shirts with varying areas and locations of mesh fabric were designed and produced for testing on a dry thermal manikin. Clothing thermal insulation of T-shirts was measured under three wind velocities: 0.5, 1 and 2m/s. The results showed that, the areas and locations of ventilation panels affect the total thermal insulation. The T-shirts with larger area of mesh fabric are preferable in terms of releasing more body heat. Among various designs tested, mesh fabrics applied at two vertical side seams can most effectively release heat and moisture from the body. Clothing insulation is also greatly affected by wind.