Numerical estimation of the effects of climatic variations on human thermal comfort in Botswana

Abstract

The weather and climate exert both direct and indirect influence on man. These are manifested in the meteorological conditions affecting the human thermal state. One of the basic techniques for the bio-climatic estimation of comfort or discomfort of human conditions relates to an understanding of climatic elements that impact on the body's thermal condition. Four basic meteorological parameters which affect human thermal state (temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed) are used to develop a numerical model for estimating the effect of climatic changes on human thermal comfort in Botswana. Numerical values of energy load for four different comfort classes were derived. Long-term means of human thermal comfort related meteorological parameters are applied to the model to estimate energy load for the three different climatic regions in Botswana thus defining the thermal stress on man. The months corresponding to each comfort class are also identified. Human thermal comfort decreases from north eastern portion to south western region of the country.

Keywords: numerical model, meteorological parameters, climatic variation, thermal comfort, Botswana

Botswana Journal of Technology Vol 14(1) 2005: 25-30