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Article
Publication date: 12 October 2022

Fateme Sayanjali, Nazanin Ezazshahabi and Fatemeh Mousazadegan

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of fabric weave structure on air permeability and its relation with the garment ventilation.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of fabric weave structure on air permeability and its relation with the garment ventilation.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, five groups of cotton/polyester shirting fabrics with plain, T2/1, T2/2, T3/1 and T3/3 weave structures were studied. In order to evaluate ventilation, the garment samples were prepared in different sizes, so that the thickness of the air gap formed between the garment and the body simulator varies by zero, 1.5, 1.2 and 2.9 cm. The effect of wind and its speed (1, 2 and 3 m/s) on clothing ventilation has also been evaluated.

Findings

The results indicated that the rise of wind speed and air gap thickness, due to the increased convective heat transfer, would diminish the air gap temperature of clothing and improves its ventilation. In addition, the fabric weave pattern influences the air ability to pass through the fabric, thus affecting the ventilation capability of the garment.

Originality/value

Garments made of fabrics with higher structural firmness, such as the plain, not only have lower air permeability, but also has weaker ventilation capability.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2015

Ying Ke, Jun Li and George Havenith

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the local ventilation (the right arm, the chest and the back) and wear response of three types of working jackets in different…

Abstract

Purpose

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the local ventilation (the right arm, the chest and the back) and wear response of three types of working jackets in different conditions. The relationship between the local ventilation and its related wear response was also explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A clothing local ventilation measuring system was developed based on the steady state method to measure the local ventilation of the right arm, the chest and the back. Separate wear trials were conducted to determine the local skin temperature, local microclimate temperature and humidity, clothing local surface temperature, heart rate (HR), eardrum temperature and subjective perceptions.

Findings

The results indicated that the back part of the jacket had the highest ventilation, followed by the chest and the arm. Fabric permeability affected the local ventilation of the arm and the chest more than on the back. Clothing local surface temperature was significantly related to garment regions but not to fabric permeability. Back ventilation and back surface temperature, arm or chest ventilation and local microclimate humidity of the arm or chest, HR and back ventilation, local ventilation of the arm or the chest and its related thermal sensation, had significant linear relationships.

Originality/value

The research will help to understand the relationship between the air exchange of the microclimate and the wear response, and thus gives some suggestions on garment design or selection, especially for the working garments.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 27 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Chu Po Ho, Jintu Fan, Edward Newton and Raymond Au

In previous studies, enlarging the air gap between fabric and the skin through the placement of spacer blocks has been proven to improve air ventilation, particularly when the…

Abstract

Purpose

In previous studies, enlarging the air gap between fabric and the skin through the placement of spacer blocks has been proven to improve air ventilation, particularly when the pumping effect is activated during movement. These studies evaluated only the total thermal insulation (Rt) and moisture vapour resistance (Ret) by using a fabric thermal manikin. The purpose of this paper is to report the experience, perceived comfort level, and ventilation effect of two designed T-shirts in a wearer trial.

Design/methodology/approach

An athletic T-shirt (Vented Design) was designed by attaching spacer blocks to the underside of the fabric to enlarge the air gap. Eight subjects participated in the wearer trial, which comprised 30 min treadmill running, followed by 10 min of rest. At different points during the 40 min test period, subjects rated their body coolness, skin dryness, and overall comfort of the designed T-shirt. The testing was repeated with participants wearing the same T-shirt but without spacer blocks, which served as a control garment. The mean skin temperature of each subject was also measured to support survey findings.

Findings

The data were evaluated using independent t-tests. The T-shirt with spacer blocks provided higher ventilation than the control T-shirt after 10 min of running. Research limitations – because of limited resources, only eight subjects were recruited to this study. In addition, more T-shirt designs should be tested in the future to elucidate how T-shirt design affects ventilation performance.

Originality/value

This study investigated a T-shirt design wherein the air gap between the skin surface and fabric was increased. The results of the wearer trial showed that this design could be adopted as a design brief for further design development of related clothing. This study has implications for clothing designers developing functional clothing with improved ventilation.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2013

Matthew Patrick Morrissey and René Michel Rossi

The purpose of this investigation was to measure the changes in effective thermal insulation caused by three different types of outer garment ventilation features (chest zips…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation was to measure the changes in effective thermal insulation caused by three different types of outer garment ventilation features (chest zips, back zips and pit zips) when combined with either a high or low air permeability insulating layer.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurements in this investigation were made with a thermal manikin and with a 26 zone thermal torso. Measurements were made at two air flow speeds with each manikin; the different air flow characteristics for each manikin allowed investigation of how ventilation features interact with different air flow distributions.

Findings

It was established in this study that high permeability insulation increases the efficacy of ventilation features by an average of 7 per cent at the low wind speed and 10 per cent at the high wind speed. No particular ventilation feature was found to be consistently the most effective; the data suggest that garment openings should simply be located in well-ventilated areas.

Originality/value

This investigation analysed the ventilation characteristics of protective clothing ensembles with different ventilation features, allowing designers to create more comfortable clothing for work and leisure activities.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Chupo Ho, Jintu Fan, Edward Newton and Raymond Au

Maintaining air circulation between the wearer and garment layer is crucial for activating heat and moisture transfer from the body. If an air gap is trapped, air circulation may…

Abstract

Purpose

Maintaining air circulation between the wearer and garment layer is crucial for activating heat and moisture transfer from the body. If an air gap is trapped, air circulation may become ineffective and the ventilation of the garment is, thus, hindered. To maintain and extend the air gap, this study aims to propose a design method that involves placing spacer blocks underneath the garment to prevent the fabric from clinging directly to the skin.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the application of this design method, a series of T-shirts were produced and tested using a thermal manikin in standing and walking postures. All the T-shirts were made of fabric ostensibly manufactured to have high air permeability. Porous mesh fabric was used to construct the vented panels on the T-shirts. The test was conducted in a chamber with controlled temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. Total thermal insulation (Rt) and moisture vapour resistance (Ret) were measured.

Findings

The test results showed that extension of the air gap between wearer and fabric provided higher ventilation to the wearer if the vented panels were also present on the T-shirts. Different placements of the vented panels on the T-shirts also affected the heat and moisture transfer from the thermal manikin.

Research limitations/implications

Due to limited resources, the evaluation of total thermal insulation and moisture vapour resistance was based on the testing result from a thermal manikin instead of any subjective wearer trial.

Practical implications

This research can contribute to the clothing designer who is developing function wear for a better ventilation.

Social implications

This research can contribute to the clothing designer who is developing function wear for a better ventilation.

Originality/value

This study aimed to further develop a new design concept in T-shirt design by improving the construction of the spacer blocks. Fabric with higher air and water vapour permeability was used to determine to what extent this design method is applicable to higher performance on heat and moisture transfer.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1994

Paul S. Adams, Ann C. Slocum and W. Monroe Keyserling

Personal protective clothing (PPC) enables people to work in hazardous environments, but PPC can have a detrimental effect on worker performance. Predicting garment effects on…

916

Abstract

Personal protective clothing (PPC) enables people to work in hazardous environments, but PPC can have a detrimental effect on worker performance. Predicting garment effects on worker performance is difficult because quantitative relationships among garment properties and human responses are not known. Presents a systematic structure for studying the relationships among garment properties and their immediate effects on the worker. Using a survey of 118 studies, previous work was categorized according to garment parameters and dependent measures. Except for studies of heat stress, most of these studies compared competing garments or simply measured physiological response, rather than relating these effects to garment attributes. Such results are seldom transferable to other clothing systems or tasks. Proposes a conceptual model based on this systematic structure. Introduces garment impediment indices (GIIs) as response functions of garment attributes, and offers an approach for developing quantitative models of PPC effects on worker performance.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 December 2021

Hannah Weiss, Yaritza Hernandez, K. Han Kim and Sudhakar L. Rajulu

The suboptimal fit of a spacesuit can interfere with a crewmember's performance and is regarded as a potential risk factor for injury. To quantify suit fit, a virtual fit…

Abstract

Purpose

The suboptimal fit of a spacesuit can interfere with a crewmember's performance and is regarded as a potential risk factor for injury. To quantify suit fit, a virtual fit assessment model was previously developed to identify suit-to-body contact and interference using 3D human body scans and suit CAD models. However, ancillary suit components and garments worn inside of the suit have not been incorporated.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted to predict a 3D model of the liquid cooling and ventilation garment (LCVG) from an arbitrary person's body scan. A total of 14 subjects were scanned in a scan wear and LCVG condition. A statistical model was generated using principal component analysis and random forest regression technique.

Findings

The model was able to predict the geometry of the LCVG layer at the accuracy of 5.3 cm maximum error and 1.7 cm root mean square error. The errors were more pronounced for the arms and lower torso, while the thighs and upper torso regions, which are critical for suit fit assessments, show more accurate predictions. A case study of suit fit with and without the LCVG model demonstrated that the new model can enhance the scope and accuracy of future spacesuit assessments.

Originality/value

The capabilities resulting from these modeling techniques would greatly expand the assessments of fit of the garment on various anthropometries. The results from this study can significantly improve the design process modeling and initial suit sizing efforts to optimize crew performance during extravehicular activity training and missions.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1999

E.J. Holland, C.A. Wilson, R.M. Laing and B.E. Niven

The rate and volume of air exchanged between the bed microclimate and the ambient environment determines in part how much heat is lost from the human body. This study investigated…

Abstract

The rate and volume of air exchanged between the bed microclimate and the ambient environment determines in part how much heat is lost from the human body. This study investigated the ventilatory characteristics of infant over‐bedding to determine whether different combinations of bedding items (i.e. sheets, blankets, duvets) and types of tucking (i.e. loosely, firmly and swaddled/firmly tucked) affected microclimate ventilation. Microclimate volumes and air exchange rates were determined and used to calculate the ventilation indices. The presence of a duvet in the bedding combination resulted in lower ventilation indices than when bedding did not include a duvet. The type and combination of blankets did not significantly affect ventilation indices. The type of tucking had a significant effect on ventilation indices only when the assembly did not include a duvet.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Shurong Hu, Mengmeng Zhao and Jun Li

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of wind direction and ease allowance on thermal comfort in sportswear.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of wind direction and ease allowance on thermal comfort in sportswear.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of wind direction (front, side, back and calm (no wind) 1.5 m/s) and seven magnitudes of ease allowance on sportswear thermal insulation and surface temperature were investigated. An 11 zones’ thermal manikin was used to acquire the static thermal insulation. Surface temperature was captured by a thermal imager.

Findings

The results showed that the wind was a significant effect on thermal performance, however, wind direction effect was only significant in the segment covered with multilayer fabric, such as the abdomen and hip (p=0.034). Although the ease allowance influenced the overall thermal insulation obviously, the difference between seven sizes suits was not significant. Nevertheless, the ease allowance affected the surface temperature of chest and back significantly (p=0.023, 0.007). Correlation between thermal insulation and surface temperature was negative, and correlation level was degraded when affected by wind factor.

Research limitations/implications

Sportswear’s fabric and style did not discussed as effect factors. It would be taken into accounted in the future research.

Originality/value

Wind direction impact thermal comfort in multilayer regions significantly. It is a reference to improve sportswear’s comfort design.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2019

Wiah Wardiningsih and Olga Troynikov

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence and relationship of segment area and opening area in segmented protective pad in comparison to non-segmented pad to the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence and relationship of segment area and opening area in segmented protective pad in comparison to non-segmented pad to the energy absorption and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

The compressive stress-strain curves were obtained using Instron Tester and were used to analyse the energy absorption of the pads and the segmented pad assemblies. The dry thermal resistance and evaporative resistance of the non-segmented and segmented protective pads were obtained using MTNW Sweating Guarded Hot Plate.

Findings

The compression test results and performance attributes relevant to thermophysiological wear comfort test result demonstrated that the area segment and opening area of segmented pad influenced their energy absorption value, dry thermal resistance value and evaporative resistance value (permeability index value).

Originality/value

The results are expected to be useful for design and engineering of hip impact protective garments. Hip impact protective pads are used to prevent hip fractures in elderly people as a result of fall.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

1 – 10 of 217