Integrating a multi-segment occupant thermal model with building simulation and computational fluid dynamics for detailed analysis of human-building thermal interactions and thermal comfort

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Rida, Mohamad and Kelly, Nick (2025) Integrating a multi-segment occupant thermal model with building simulation and computational fluid dynamics for detailed analysis of human-building thermal interactions and thermal comfort. Journal of Building Performance Simulation. ISSN 1940-1493 (In Press) (https://doi.org/10.1080/19401493.2025.2502800)

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Abstract

Ensuring occupant comfort and energy efficiency is a cornerstone of building design, yet existing Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools often lack the detailed modelling required for human-centric design and advanced control strategies. This paper addresses this gap, by integrating a detailed human thermal representation into the ESP-r building simulation tool, along with deeper integration within ESP-r's Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) domain. The developed model enhances the accuracy of human thermal interaction modelling by incorporating variable metabolic rates, internal heat loads, and a dynamic clothing model in whole-building simulations. The approach described, balances computational efficiency with the need for detailed, localized insights into indoor conditions, making it suitable for studying the impact of indoor micro-climatic effects on human comfort. To validate the integrated modelling approach, simulation results were compared against a published experimental CFD benchmark, showing mean absolute errors of 0.2–0.53°C for temperature and 0.012–0.017 m/s for air velocity. The integrated model was applied to a naturally ventilated building, to assess the influence of temporal variations of local conditions on occupant thermal states; such an analysis is not possible through the individual application of CFD, building simulation or human thermal models, and demonstrates the novelty and potential of the combined approach in facilitating more detailed analysis indoor conditions and occupant comfort and in advancing human-centric building modelling and simulation.

ORCID iDs

Rida, Mohamad ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9301-7079 and Kelly, Nick ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6517-5942;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)