Center for the Built Environment 

About: Center for the Built Environment is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Thermal comfort & HVAC. Over the lifetime, 116 publications have been published receiving 13034 citations.

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.

Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

Abstract: Impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita Le cause e le responsabilita dei cambiamenti climatici sono state trattate sul numero di ottobre della rivista Cda. Approfondiamo l’argomento presentando il documento: “Cambiamenti climatici 2007: impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita” votato ad aprile 2007 dal secondo gruppo di lavoro del Comitato Intergovernativo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Si tratta del secondo di tre documenti che compongono il quarto rapporto sui cambiamenti climatici.

Developing an adaptive model of thermal comfort and preference

Abstract: The adaptive hypothesis predicts that contextual factors and past thermal history modify building occupants' thermal expectations and preferences. One of the predictions of the adaptive hypothesis is that people in warm climate zones prefer warmer indoor temperatures than people living in cold climate zones. This is contrary to the static assumptions underlying the current ASHRAE comfort standard 55-92. To examine the adaptive hypothesis and its implications for Standard 55-92, the ASHRAE RP-884 project assembled a quality-controlled database from thermal comfort field experiments worldwide (circa 21,000 observations from 160 buildings). Our statistical analysis examined the semantics of thermal comfort in terms of thermal sensation,

Human thermal sensation and comfort in transient and non-uniform thermal environments

Abstract: Most existing thermal comfort models are only applicable only in uniform, steady-state thermal environments. This thesis presents results from 109 human subject tests that were performed under non-uniform and transient conditions in the UC Berkeley Controlled Environmental Chamber. In these tests, local body surfaces of the subjects were independently heated or cooled while the rest of the body was exposed to a warm, neutral or cool environment. Skin temperatures, core temperature, thermal sensation and comfort responses were collected at one- to three-minute intervals. Based on these tests, we have developed predictive models of local and overall thermal sensation and comfort: Local thermal sensation for 19 body parts Local thermal comfort model for 19 body parts Overall sensation model Overall comfort model A separate set of tests was carried out in an automobile in a climate-controlled wind tunnel at the Delphi Harrison facility in Lockport, NY. These tests simulated conditions found in vehicles during both hot and cold weather. The subjects’ body temperatures, thermal sensation and thermal comfort were measured similarly to those in the UCB chamber tests. The results of the Delphi tests were primarily used for model validation. The validation results show that the models predicted the actual sensation and comfort votes well. The models will be useful for designing and evaluating non-uniform and transient environments in buildings, vehicles, and outdoors.

Quantitative relationships between occupant satisfaction and satisfaction aspects of indoor environmental quality and building design

Abstract: Author(s): Frontczak, Monika; Schiavon, Stefano; Goins, John; Arens, Edward A; Zhang, Hui, Ph.D; Wargocki, Pawel | Abstract: The paper examines which subjectively evaluated indoor environmental parameters and building features mostly affect occupants’ satisfaction in mainly US office buildings. The study analyzed data from a web-based survey administered to 52,980 occupants in 351 office buildings over ten years by the Center for the Built Environment. The survey uses 7-point ordered scale questions pertaining to satisfaction with indoor environmental parameters, workspace and building features. The average building occupant was satisfied with his/her workspace and building. Proportional odds ordinal logistic regression shows that satisfaction with all 15 parameters listed in the survey contributed significantly to overall workspace satisfaction. The most important parameters were satisfaction with amount of space (odds ratio OR 1.57, CI: 1.55-1.59), noise level (OR 1.27, CI: 1.25-1.29) and visual privacy (OR 1.26, CI: 1.24-1.28). Satisfaction with amount of space was ranked to be the most important influence for workspace satisfaction, regardless of age group (below 30, 31-50 or over 50 years old), gender, type of office (single or shared offices, or cubicles), distance of workspace from a window (within 4.6 m or further) or satisfaction level with workspace (satisfied or dissatisfied). Satisfaction with amount of space was not related to the gross amount of space available per person.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONSTo maximize workspace satisfaction designer should invest in aspects which increase satisfaction with amount of space and storage, noise level and visual privacy. Office workers will be most satisfied with their workspace and building when located close to a window in a private office. This may affect job satisfaction, work performance and personal and company productivity.