Adaptive thermal comfort in office buildings: an Adaptive Predict Mean Vote model

In recent years, adaptive thermal comfort studies played a positive role in sustainability in buildings. The exploration of thermal adaptation in different regions, different types of buildings, and different demographic groups are the research trend internationally.

This project will investigate the thermal comfort adaptation behaviour and thermal sensations in office buildings. The combined data-driven and heat-balance-based ‘adaptive predict mean vote’ model will be explored and tested by the data collected from the UK office buildings and the ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database. The adaptation coefficient will be determined for different types of energy systems such as natural ventilation and mechanical systems. The study intends to provide a theoretical basis and guidance to establish localized adaptation policies for low energy building design and operation

Key skills required: Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) and Preferably a Master’s degree in Engineering / Computing/ applied mathematics or a relevant discipline. 

For more details, please contact:

Professor Runming Yao

School of the Built Environment

University of Reading

r.yao@reading.ac.uk