Client
U.S. Department of Energy
Project Objectives
- Develop a 3-D finite element simulation of human heat transfer including conduction in tissues, blood circulation in an artery-vein pipe network, and full thermoregulatory control including sweating, shivering, and vasodilation-constriction
- The human thermal model will allow for the development of more efficient climate control systems to improve vehicle fuel efficiency
Summary of Project and Results (Non-Confidential)
- Developed a full 3-D finite element model of human thermal physiological systems that was implemented in ANSYS
- The model was fully parametric to allow for the creation of any human shape or body type
- Human tissues were created including skin, muscle, fat, bone, lung, and brain tissues
- Circulation heat transfer was simulated by constructing a right angled pipe network to model the human artery and vein system
- Blood perfusion heat transfer in tissues was modeled using analytical equations
- The model contained thermoregulatory control of heat transfer using the following modes
- Vaso-constriction/dilation of arteries and veins
- Surface sweating rate and spatial control
- Local control of shivering heat generation in tissues
- Metabolic control
- Respiration heat transfer was modeled using air and water vapor transport in a series of tubes between the mouth and lungs
- Clothing heat transfer was simulated by conduction through the layers, and water vapor transport
Simulated Human Circulation System using a Right Angled Network of Pipes for the U.S. Department of Energy
Human Thermal Model Mesh Geometry
Human Thermal Model Hand Circulation System
Human Thermal Model Tissue Mesh