Browsing by Subject "PET"
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Item Open Access The application of the physiologically equivalent temperature to determine impacts of locally defined extreme heat events within vulnerable dwellings during the 2020 summer in Ankara(Elsevier, 2022-03-09) Santos Nouri, A.; Charalampopoulos, I.; Matzarakis, A.This study addresses the limited work related to Heat Stress (HS) vulnerability within indoor/outdoor contexts and its relationship with local Extreme Heat Events (EHEs). Centred upon Ankara, the study focuses on building upon its weaker approach to human thermophysiological vulnerabilities in an era of climate change, and unregulated urban densification. Through newly defined local EHEs, the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) (and its cumulative derivatives), were utilised to develop the limited approaches that utilise Energy Based Models in the scope of EHE risk management. The study was undertaken by processing hourly data from 2008 to 2020 from Ankara's Meteorological Station, and Esenboga Meteorological Station. At a finer 10 min resolution, an interior Kestrel Heat-stress Station was used to assess summer thermal conditions in 2020 within a thermally vulnerable, yet still very frequent, residential Turkish construction typology. Among other outcomes, the results indicated the permanency of indoor PET that remained above 27 °C during non EHE periods. In the case of a Very Hot Day (VHD33), PET remained between 29 and 32.9 °C for almost 24 h. The thermal index also indicated how forced convective cooling led to indoor reductions of PET by 3–4 K, and in duration of such HS levels to less than 2 h. © 2022Item Open Access Approaching environmental human thermophysiological thresholds for the case of Ankara, Turkey(Springer, 2020-10-27) Santos Nouri, Andre; Afacan, Yasemin; Çalışkan, O.; Tzu-Ping, L.; Matzarakis, A.The disclosed study undertook a ‘human centred-approach’ that ascertained and categorised environmental human thermophysiological risk factors by relating them to the human biometeorological system through the use of three widely utilised energy balance model (EBM) indices, the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), the modified PET, and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). The disclosed assessment was carried out over the past decade (i.e., 2010–2019) with a 3-h temporal resolution for the case of Ankara through two WMO meteorological stations to compare both local urban and peri-urban environmental conditions. The study recognised extreme annual variability of human physiological stress (PS) during the different seasons as a result of the biometeorological processing of the singular variables, which in the case of average PET for both stations, varied by up to 75 °C between the winter and summer for the same annual dataset (2012). In addition, all EBMs indicated higher heat stress within the city centre that were conducive of both urban extreme heatwaves and very hot days during the summer months, with extreme heat stress levels lasting for longer than a week with PET values reaching a maximum of 48 °C. Similar cold extremes were found for the winter months, with PET values reaching − 30 °C, and average PS levels varying lower in the case of the peri-urban station.Item Embargo Investigating the impacts of shaded outdoor spaces on thermal adaptation and cognitive performance of university students in classroom environments(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023-12) Gündoğdu, Betül; Nouri, A. Santos; Afacan, Yasemin; Matzarakis, A.Shading strategies are effective means to reduce urban risk factors such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The influence of shaded outdoor spaces on university students’ thermal adaptability and cognitive performance is limited researched. The study aims at evaluating the effect of shaded outdoor spaces upon thermal comfort; and, linking such results upon university students’ cognitive performance in a classroom environment with natural ventilation. A case study was conducted with students the ages of 19–22 at Bilkent University in Ankara, during the mid-season in October. The quantitative microclimatic conditions of the university campus’s unshaded/shaded areas and indoor studios were obtained through Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index. The qualitative evaluation was undertaken by the adaptive model and thermal comfort survey. D2 test of attention was conducted to measure cognitive performance of students. This study revealed that the shade may increase thermal adaptation with the lowest mean PET of 18.7°C, while the highest mean PET of 33.2°C was obtained in sun-exposed space. Also, experiencing shaded outdoor space contributed to an improvement in concentration performance (CP) of students resulting in the mean CP score of 182.8, while those with sun-exposed outdoor space experience had the mean CP score of 167.6 within studios.Item Open Access Investigating the influences of shaded outdoor spaces on thermal adaptation and cognitive performance of university students in classroom environments(Bilkent University, 2022-06) Gündoğdu, BetülThe effects of shading strategies have been identified as an effective means to reduce urban risk factors such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Although the importance of shaded outdoor spaces and thermal comfort has been well documented in the existing literature; there is still limited research on how these spaces can influence thermal adaptability and cognitive performance of university students. As a result, the aim of the study is twofold: (1) to evaluate the effect of shaded outdoor spaces upon thermal comfort; and, (2) link such results upon the cognitive performance of university students in a classroom environment with natural ventilation. A case study was conducted with university students between the ages of 19-22 at the Bilkent University in Ankara, during the autumn season in the month of October. The quantitative thermal microclimatic conditions of unshaded/shaded areas of the university campus and indoor classroom settings were obtained through the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index. The qualitative evaluation of thermal comfort was undertaken by using both the adaptive model and a complementary thermal comfort survey. D2 test of attention was conducted to measure the cognitive performance of students with different outdoor shading level experiences. This study revealed that the shade condition may improve thermal adaptation, and impact PET in outdoor and indoor contexts. Experiencing such space contributed to an improvement in cognitive performance of students within classroom settings in an era of climate change, where urban fabric continues to be susceptible to existing and future heat-related stress factors.Item Open Access Investigating the relationship of outdoor heat stress upon indoor thermal comfort and qualitative self-sleep evaluation: the case of Ankara(Bilkent University, 2022-06) Ahan, Merve MünevverRecently, the necessity of exploring the relationship between sleep quality and the thermal environment has amplified regarding increasing heat stress risk on the human body due to climate change, particularly in vulnerable-uninsulated buildings of Ankara. Within this scope, this study investigated occupants’ sleep quality and thermal comfort in insulated and uninsulated buildings under three local extreme heat event thresholds: (1) typical summer day (TSD25), (2) very hot day (VHD33), and lastly, (3) heat wave event (HWE31). Within a two-tiered approach to thermal comfort evaluations, the physiological thermal comfort of occupants was identified through the calculation of Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) from the climatic data of local meteorological stations. On the other hand, the psychological thermal comfort and sleep quality of participants were evaluated by questionnaires during each heat event. The results of this study demonstrated that PETOut reached 43.5 °C, which indicates the extreme heat stress within PS grades during the VHD33s. The PET values were consistently higher in uninsulated buildings than in insulated buildings. Also, most of the mean psychological thermal comfort votes (TCVs) and sleep quality votes (SQVs) were better in uninsulated buildings than in insulated ones during TSD25 and HWE31s, while it was the opposite within extreme conditions of VHD33s. The outputs of this study contribute to interdisciplinary efforts to attenuate the existing and impending risks of climate change on human life by defining the influence of increasing outdoor heat stress on indoor spaces, thermal comfort, and the sleep quality of occupants.Item Open Access Investigating the relationship of outdoor heat stress upon indoor thermal comfort and qualitative sleep evaluation: The case of Ankara(MDPI, 2023-09-06) Ahan, Merve Münevver; Nouri, Andre Santos; Matzarakis, A.The necessity of exploring the relationship between sleep quality and the thermal environment has amplified regarding increasing heat stress risk on the human body due to climate change, particularly in vulnerable uninsulated buildings in Ankara. Within this scope, this study investigated occupants’ sleep quality and human thermal comfort in insulated and uninsulated buildings under three local extreme heat event thresholds: (1) typical summer days (TSD25), (2) very hot days (VHD33), and lastly, (3) heat wave events (HWE31). Within a two-tiered approach to thermal comfort evaluations, the human thermal comfort of occupants was identified through the calculation of physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) from the climatic data of local meteorological stations. The psychological thermal comfort and sleep quality of participants were evaluated by questionnaires during each heat event. The results of this study demonstrated that the physiological thermal load of the participants was highest during VHD33s, given that both outdoor and indoor PET values presented their highest values within VHD33 events. Furthermore, the outdoor PET values reached extreme heat stress based on physiological stress grades with 43.5 °C, which indicated the exacerbated vulnerability of Ankara during extreme heat events. The PET values were consistently higher in uninsulated buildings than in insulated buildings. Also, most of the mean psychological thermal comfort votes and sleep quality votes were better in uninsulated buildings than in insulated ones during TSD25s and HWE31s, while it was the opposite within extreme conditions of VHD33s. The outputs of this study contribute to interdisciplinary efforts to attenuate the existing and impending risks of climate change on human life by defining the influence of increasing outdoor heat stress on indoor spaces, thermal comfort, and the sleep quality of occupants.Item Open Access Investigation of the relationship between human thermal comfort and activity patterns within the outdoor spaces of Bilkent University’s Main Campus(Bilkent University, 2023-06) Seyednouri, HadiThe impact of climate change, resulting in rising temperatures, is believed to significantly influence the success or failure of outdoor spaces, with climatic factors playing a crucial role. Research has indicated that the maintenance of a comfortable thermal environment can have a notable impact on individuals' welfare. To date, global climate studies have not provided sufficient local specificity for urban planning and design. Consequently, there has been an increasing interest in incorporating complementary bottom-up perspectives. In line with this interest and focused on a particular case study, this thesis presents the findings of an empirical investigation conducted between May and September of 2022 at the main campus of Bilkent University located in Ankara, Turkey. In order to address physiological and psychological aspects of human thermal comfort and investigate the possible effect of human thermal comfort on lecturers’ and students’ activity patterns within outdoor spaces of the aforementioned campus, a two-phase study was designed. 12 days of observational studies during the first phase of this research produced a behavioral map, which when combined with a Shadow Behavior Simulation (SBS) map established the Points Of Interest (POI) of this research. Subsequently, in the second phase, 64 questionnaires were filled out by the pedestrian while microclimatic factors were measured in the POIs over the course of 13 days. In order to address the stated research questions, test the hypotheses, and propose design recommendations, through the application of the biometeorological RayMan model, the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index, and modified PET were applied, along with statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the cognitive maps considering microclimate. The findings of this study demonstrated good agreement between quantitative and qualitative results, presenting solar radiation as the most significant microclimatic factor. Human thermal comfort also had an impact on activity patterns within the study area, but not as significantly as seating availability for stationary activities and planning and function for moving activities.Item Open Access The relationship between preference utilizing VR and synoptic thermal evaluation the case of public square of Amirkabir, Arak(Bilkent University, 2022-12) Taghavi Araghi, Seyed MahziarPublic Open Spaces (POS) have been proven to have a positive effect on people’s life and overall well-being. As also suggested by the existing literature, the success of a POS can be interrelated with the number of individuals using it. However, the occurrence of Urban Heat Island (UHIs) has increased in recent years as a consequence of climate change which can significantly affect the presence of people in POSs and their usage pattern. Urban green spaces on the other hand can provide shade that covers outdoor environments, attenuating the effects of UHIs. In addition, urban inhabitants can benefit from psycho-physiological advantages of urban green spaces. Meanwhile, Amirkabir square as the first environment with the main concentration on pedestrians rather than vehicles in the city of Arak, needs urgent improvements in both aesthetics and thermal condition. To accomplish this aim, alongside thermal sensitive decision making, the use of virtual reality (VR) as a participatory means can offer a unique opportunity to ensure the positive effects of local interventions. This method and the integrative mergence between these two issues, and how they can frame an initial guidance for local design- oriented action, are interlinked contemporary factors that need to be addressed. As a result, the study's primary objective is to provide interdisciplinary recommendations for architects and urban designers on how to effectively approach the alternation of POSs for enhanced greenery design to approach both thermal comfort and psychological expectations. Hence, this study investigated people's preferences in four greenery design scenarios using VR techniques, then compared them to thermal comfort situations to determine whether the preferred scenario chosen by Araki inhabitants is the same scenario in which people performed best or not. People’s preferences were studied using VR technology and SPSS software for data interpretation. The quantitative thermal microclimatic conditions of Amirkabir urban square were obtained through the application and comparison of energy-based model thermal indices. These indices were the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and the modified PET (mPET) through the use of biometeorological RayMan pro model. To facilitate the representation of the results, the Climate Tourism/transfer Information Scheme (CTIS) software was utilized. This innovative methodology revealed in the case of Arak, that the scenario preferred by people (Scenario D, p<.05), is different from the scenario with better thermal performance (Scenario A), and that people’s preferences and thermal outcome on different design scenarios are not necessarily parallel, which draws on local design and planning orientated professionals that shape cities to work in an interdisciplinary manner whilst addressing such crucial aspects. Through such a perspective, the modification of the urban fabric can be made to better ensure the long-term triumph of urban projects.