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GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
Anti heat stress clothing for construction workers in hot and humid weather
Principal Investigator:
Albert P.C. Chan
Associate Dean. Faculty of Construction and Environment, and Professor of Department of Building and Real Estate,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Email: bsachan@polyu.edu.hk
Co-Investigators (in alphabetical order according to surname):
Daniel W.M. Chan
Associate Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom,
Kowloon, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: bsdchan@polyu.edu.hk
Esther Cheung
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung
Hom, Kowloon, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: bsesther@polyu.edu.hk
Joanne Chung
Head and Chair Professor, Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, The
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: joannechung@ied.edu.hk
Yi Li
Professor, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, The Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: tcliyi@polyu.edu.hk
Del P.L. Wong
Teaching Fellow I, Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, The Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: delwong@ied.edu.hk
Francis K.W. Wong
Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, The
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: bskwwong@polyu.edu.hk
Michael C.H. Yam
Associate Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom,
Kowloon, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. E-mail: bsmyam@polyu.edu.hk
Abstract
Summer time in Hong Kong is hot and humid. Record from the Hong Kong Observatory (2010a) indicates that the
outdoor temperature and relative humidity in summer time can be as high as 34.9˚C and 95% respectively.
Construction workers have to undertake physical demanding activities in an outdoor environment which is hot and
humid during summer time. Work in such an environment poses a significant challenge for the cardio-vascular system
(Marszalek et al, 2005). Construction workers are vulnerable to heat stress in summer as heat stroke has already
caused a number of deaths and injuries (Apple Daily, 2010a). Construction safety clothing is gear worn by
construction workers to protect them from many potential hazards inherent on the job. Often workers dislike
wearing safety clothing because it can be hot, cumbersome and slow down work progress (Donald, 2010). Heat and
inappropriate clothing may make workers sweat a lot. Construction workers are at greater risk for heat-related
illnesses such as heat rash which is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot and humid weather
(MedicineNet.com, 2010). Proper clothing is essential to combat heat rash and other heat-related illnesses. Comfort
in the hot season depends on the choice of fabrics. Clothing should make workers feel cool, dry and comfortable, and
more importantly, able to protect them against the damaging UV rays from the sun. Construction work is a tough job
which demands additional requirements on clothing. High quality industrial apparel is important for providing a layer
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of protection against cuts and abrasions, as well as the environment and weather. Clothing has to be durable with
high thread count, reinforced seams, and heavy duty rivets that fit well enough to not present a hazard around
moving parts, but still provide flexibility to react on the job site (Palmer, 2010). Obviously, clothing for construction
workers during summer time warrants special attention.
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) addressed this important issue by setting up an Informal Task Force on
Working in Hot Weather. The CIC has promulgated a set of basic guidelines on site safety measures in hot weather
and provided some recommendations on clothing and protective equipment (Section 16 of the Guideline,
Construction Industry Council, 2008). The Informal Task Force, however, advocated in the 5 th Progress Report of
Committee on Construction Site Safety to the CIC that further research on thermal stress measured by established
parameters should be conducted to refine the initial guidelines.
The aim of this study is to address this pressing need of the industry by adopting a scientific approach to assess the
effects of heat stress on construction workers and to design proper clothing for construction workers accordingly. A
set of physiological and environmental parameters, namely oral temperature, skin temperature, ambient
temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, solar infrared radiation and UV radiation, heart rate variability, energy
expenditure, minute ventilation, blood pressure and sweating responses will be measured and monitored to find out
physiological limit values at different heat exposures. With these parameters in place, proper clothing will be
designed and engineered for construction workers to cope with the hot and humid weather by systematic
investigating the impact of key factors such as garment style, fit, structures of fibres, yarns and fabrics, and their
functional performances/properties such as breathability, ventilation, thermal insulation, IR and UV blocking/transfer,
sweat transfer and anti-microbial function.
Aim of the research
The aim of this study is to assess the effects of heat stress on construction workers and to design proper clothing for
the workers to work in hot and humid weather.
Objectives
1. Examine the current dressing pattern of construction workers in hot and humid weather;
2. Identify the shortcomings of the current dressing pattern in dealing with hot and humid weather;
3. Determine the physiological conditions of construction workers when they are subject to different degree of
heat and humidity exposures;
4. Design and engineer appropriate clothing for construction workers to meet with the extreme physiological
conditions;
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the newly designed clothing for construction workers.
Significance and value
The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere in between (National Geographic, 2010).
According to the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global
surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 20th century. Construction workers have to
undertake outdoor work and often in confined spaces. Construction work is a tough job and is physically demanding.
This is further exacerbated by the hot and humid weather during summer time in Hong Kong. Construction workers
are vulnerable to heat stress in summer as heat stroke has already caused a number of deaths and injuries. Health
and safety measures, in particular those related to clothing for construction workers, linked up to scientific and
clinical parameters are urgently needed. Although this study applies specifically to the construction industry of Hong
Kong, the same methodology could be extended to other industries and to other countries to enhance the health and
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well being of workers in general, and to those working in hot and humid weather in particular. Appropriate clothing
for construction workers could be established based on a set of physiological and environmental parameters
measurable by clinical and scientific methods to combat impending attacks of heat stress. This would be of
tremendous value in better safeguarding workers’ health and safety by reducing the occurrences of heat-related
illnesses on site.
Background of research
(A) Work done by others
Heat stress can be defined as the effect of heat that would create pressure or discomfort to the human body (Hong
Kong Observatory, 2010b). Under normal circumstances one’s metabolism would continuously generate heat energy
which would be lost through direct radiation, air conduction and sweating. When people carry out physical activities,
more heat energy will be generated and consequently more sweating would result to keep the body’s temperature at
norm. In some cases the heat energy may not be sweated fast enough causing the body’s heat to rise resulting in
heat stress. Heat stress is very much dependent on air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar
radiation. High temperatures will obviously intensify the likelihood of heat stress. An environment with higher
humidity will mean that sweating i.e. heat loss would be more difficult. For places such as Hong Kong with high levels
of humidity all year round, the likelihood of heat stress can be intensified. Wind speed is also a determining factor
towards heat stress. A higher wind speed would ease sweating and hence facilitating heat loss. Furthermore, under
high solar radiation i.e. a sunny day body heat will increase. Besides air temperature, relative humidity and wind
speed, Kjellstrom et al. (2009) provided a wider range of determinants which would also affect the body’s heat.
These include radiant temperature, metabolic heat generated by activity and also clothing.
The hot and humid weather in Hong Kong has meant that heat stroke is particularly common for construction
workers in the summer months. Frequent cases of heat stroke have continuously been recorded in recent news
reports (Apple Daily, 2010b; 2010c; 2010d). The safety of workers in these environments has become a pressing
concern and foremost importance. Studies and guides regarding preventive measures and solutions for workers
working under hot and humid weather have been published and provided by government agencies. However, these
agencies admitted that further research on thermal stress measured by established parameters should be conducted
to refine the initial guidelines (CIC, 2008).
Looking at examples from overseas, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published their
revised report (NIOSH, 1986) regarding occupational exposure to hot environments. In their report it is suggested
that work clothing should not be more than a long sleeved shirt and trousers. In conditions where the ceiling limits of
heat stress are exceeded heat-protective clothing should also be provided by the employers to the workers.
Protective clothing can be water-cooled garments, air-cooled garments, ice-packet vests, wetted over garments, heat
reflective aprons etc. The ceiling limit of heat stress can vary depending on the metabolic rate of workers, for
example a metabolic rate of 500kcal/h would correspond to a ceiling limit of approximately 34˚C, therefore different
occupations and work activities will correlate to different ceiling limits.
Previous researchers have conducted studies looking at the effects of working under hot and humid weather. These
have mainly focused on the negative effects towards workers, the type of workers that are more prone to the
consequences and the effects towards their work ability (Lin and Chan, 2009; Marszalek, 2005; Mohamed, 2003; Hsu
et al., 2008). Few studies have focused on providing solutions to these problems.
The occupations and industries at risk of heat stress in Taiwan were studied by Lin and Chan (2009). The findings
showed that construction workers accounted for the largest portion of labourers working outdoors, with around
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842,000 workers representing 8.1% of the labour force. The researchers of this study added that the problem was
aggravated by the hot and humid conditions in Taiwan where the maximum temperature of 30˚C and relative
humidity of 74% has been recorded. These figures are much lower than those for Hong Kong, where the maximum
temperature is 34.9˚C and relative humidity is 95% (Hong Kong Observatory, 2010a). Therefore, the risk of heat
stress for construction workers in Hong Kong can be considered as more severe.
Marszalek et al.’s (2005) study looked at the work ability of workers of different ages. The participants consisted of
96 men and women from the ages of 20 to 60 years old. Their study concluded that for workers over 45 years of age,
the physiological cost of work would be higher whereas the ability to work in hot environments would be lower. In
addition, the work ability of workers under heat was reduced for workers with low aerobic capacity (common for
older women). Similar to this study, Srinavin and Mohamed’s (2003) work also concerns the productivity of
construction workers working under different thermal environments. Their study developed a model to measure
productivity of workers under different thermal environments. Again, this study presents a model for predicting
trends and realizing the situation of working under different environments rather than trying to provide solutions to
potential problems and obstacles.
An interesting study was conducted by Hsu et al. (2008) looking at the physiological changes and fatigue of
construction workers working in high-rise buildings. Although, their study was conducted in Taiwan the scenario is
quite similar to Hong Kong as the majority of buildings are high-rise. Their findings showed that construction work for
high-rise buildings is particularly demanding for the workers physically. Also, the fatigue level of the workers was
much increased by working at higher levels due to increase of heart rate, physical workload and at the same time
decreasing visual sensitivity. Under such demanding conditions it can be understood that working under hot and
humid would only worsen the situation for workers.
Locally, the Construction Industry Council in Hong Kong produced an informative guideline for contractors to protect
workers in hot weather (Construction Industry Council, 2008). The guideline specifically describes the roles of each
party (i.e. client, contractor, site supervisor and worker) for maintaining safety in hot weather for construction
workers. The major risks of working in hot weather are also discussed in detail including fainting, heat exhaustion
and heat stroke. Furthermore, some safety measures are suggested, these include appropriate work arrangements,
breaks and cool down facilities, drinks, clothing and protective equipment, maintaining health of workers, and also
first aid procedures and facilities. For clothing as a preventive measure, the guideline suggests that workers should
be encouraged to keep clothing on, wear light coloured clothes, loose fitting clothes, wear clothes made of natural
materials, and to wear long sleeves. However, their recommendations are considered as generic in nature and lack
scientific measurements.
The Labour Department of Hong Kong has also identified working under heat as a health hazard in construction work
(Labour Department, 2004). They stress the severity of working under heat which can cause heat rash, heat cramps,
heat exhaustion and heat strokes. Their guidance notes suggest that to prevent heat stress workers should avoid
heavy manual work in hot environment. However, this may not always be possible for construction workers where
heavy manual work is frequently involved. Other suggestions include using mechanical equipment to assist, work
during cooler parts of the day or season. Again, these preventive measures are not always applicable due to the
confined working environment and tight working schedule. The guidance notes mention that heat stress can be
improved by shelter, blowing fans, cold drinks and rest breaks. Some of these suggestions have already been
adopted by construction sites and have shown to be useful for reducing heat for workers. Another feature
mentioned in the guidance notes is that the problem of heat stress can be aggravated by impermeable protective
clothing. Protective clothing is obviously important for protecting the worker from other common hazards on the
construction site such as to uplift awareness, prevent cuts, protect from sun rays, corrosion, vibration etc. But it
appears that little has been conducted to design suitable protective clothing which can adequately protect workers
from potential hazards including heat stress. The proposed study attempts to fill this knowledge gap to design
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appropriate clothing for construction workers based on a set of physiological and environmental parameters
measurable by clinical and scientific methods.
(B) Work done by the research team
Albert Chan, Francis Wong, Michael Yam, Daniel Chan and Esther Cheung are core members of the construction
safety research group at the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE). They possess a great deal of research
experience relevant to the study, and are therefore competent to bring considerable breadth of knowledge to the
issues. They have a sustainable track record in securing research fund from various sources. They have just
embarked a research project funded by the Research Grant Council (RGC) to develop a set of good practices and
indices that could be implemented by contractors to ensure the health and safety of site personnel working in hot
weather in 2009. Another RGC funded project being conducted investigates the safety climate and its impacts on
safety performance of repair, maintenance, minor, alteration and addition works. The Construction Industry Institute,
Hong Kong (CII-HK) commissioned the BRE team (2006 & 2007) to conduct research examining construction safety
involving working at height for residential building repair and maintenance. As a by-product of that study, the
research team invented a Rapid Demountable Platform (RDP© ) to supplement the use of the traditional bamboo
truss out scaffold which notoriously causes fatal accidents. The RDP system has successfully obtained a patent
application number (200610009426.9) from the PRC Patent Office and won several awards including: the Outstanding
Professional Services and Innovation Awards from the Institute for Enterprise, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
in 2009; the Innovation Achievers Award from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Englemere, United
Kingdom in 2009; the Gold Medal with the Congratulations of the Jury and a National Authority for Scientific Research
Award of the Romania Ministry of Education at the 36th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and
Products held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2008; and the Research and Youth for the High Scientific and Technological
Level of the Invention in 2008. Through these studies, contacts with key stakeholders in the Hong Kong construction
industry such as government officials, major developers, major contractors, subcontracting associations, and labour
unions have been established. Relevant information and findings of these studies will be valuable to the proposed
study. Selected publications in construction safety by members of the research team can be found in team members’
CVs attached with this application.
Yi Li is specialized in the areas of clothing thermal comfort. He has carried systematic studies on the physical and
physiological mechanisms involved. Theories, models, computational algorithms have been developed to simulate
and visualize the thermoregulatory processes of the human body, its interaction with clothing in terms of heat and
moisture transfer. On the basis of the models, CAD software has been developed for engineering design textiles and
apparel products for achieving optimum thermal comfort and thermal functions. Test apparatus and testing methods
have been developed to evaluate the dynamic heat and moisture transfer properties of fabrics, which has been
developed and approved as an AATCC standard and a China national standard in 2009, and as a testing standard for
China’s import and export control in 2005. Relevant scientific publications are listed in references [22-54]. On the
basis of these studies, protective clothing and facemasks for healthcare workers and thermal protective clothing were
designed and engineered [61-67]. However, systematic studies on the comfort, anti heat stress function for
construction workers have not been carried out.
Del Wong is an accredited exercise and sport physiologist (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, UK)
specialized in the physiological limit and training adaptation of human subjects. Since 2005, he published 26 research
papers in international peer review scientific journals in exercise physiology, and 3 invited book chapters. He is
currently a scientific reviewer for 3 international research journals. In addition, he worked as a fitness coach with a
professional football club for 2 years and therefore has substantial experience working and collecting physiological
data under hot and humid environment.
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Research plan and methodology
The research will combine a comprehensive literature review, content analysis, field study, questionnaire survey,
computer simulation and wear trial study and focus group study. The research framework for the proposed study is
shown in Figure 1. The proposed research study will span a period of 36 months (from 1 January 2012 to 31
December 2014 inclusive). The research schedule is given in Figure 2.
Objective 1:
Examine the current dressing pattern of construction workers in hot and humid weather
An extensive literature review of clothing for construction workers in hot and humid weather will be further
conducted. All previous studies related to the proposed study done by other researchers will be consolidated,
thereby enriching the understanding of current practices and experiences. The literature will be sourced from
international refereed journals, international refereed conference proceedings, books, websites, magazines,
newspapers, and so on. This desktop study will provide the background for the research and also form the
framework for the development of the questionnaire survey.
In this research study, content analysis will also be employed. Content analysis is frequently adopted to determine
the major facets of a set of data, by simply counting the number of times an activity happens, or a topic is depicted
(Fellows and Liu, 2008). The first step in conducting content analysis is to use electronic database search engines
such as Scopus to identify the literature to be analysed. The second step is to determine the form of content analysis
to be used, whether qualitative or quantitative. The choice is dependent on the nature of the research project. In
qualitative content analysis, emphasis is on determining the meaning of the data (i.e. grouping data into categories).
Quantitative content analysis extends the approach of the qualitative form to generate numerical values of the
categorized data (frequencies, ratings, ranking, etc) which may be subjected to statistical analyses. Comparisons can
be made and hierarchies of categories can be examined (Fellows and Liu, 2008). The proposed study will adopt the
qualitative content analysis approach.
Objective 2:
Identify the shortcomings of the current dressing pattern in dealing with hot and humid weather
To identify the shortcomings of existing clothing worn by construction workers in working environment, a systematic
study will be carried out by: (1) Collect garments samples from construction workers for analysing the design and
measuring the physical properties of the fabrics; (2) Study and analyse the working patterns in relation to metabolic
rates and sweating rates; (3) Study and analyse the working environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity
wind velocity and solar UV and IR radiations; (4) Conduct a questionnaire with construction workers on the clothing
they worn during work; (5) Carry out a computer simulation to study the potential heat stress level of construction
workers in typical working environment in summer by using the models and computer software developed previously
[30-51].
Objective 3:
Determine the physiological conditions of construction workers when they are subject to different
degree of heat and humidity exposures
Repeated on-site measurements will be carried out with front line workers from June to October to capture typical
physiological conditions that construction workers may be subject to. Collaboration has already obtained from the
developers, contractors, and workers to facilitate these field studies. Environmental data such as wet bulb and dry
bulb temperature, globe temperature, wind speed, and barometric pressure will be collected through a Heat Stress
Monitor. Concurrent with the environmental data collection, physiological parameters such as oral temperature, skin
temperature, heart rates, minute ventilation, energy expenditure, blood pressure and sweating responses will be
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measured and monitored through a metabolic cart and heart rate monitor. With these synchronized environmental
and physiological data, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and
thermal work limit (TWL), can be calculated to assess the thermal stress at different degree of heat and humidity
exposures (Brake and Bates, 2002; Bates and Schneider, 2008; Lu and Zhu, 2007).
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) refers to the beat-to-beat alterations in heart rate. Heart rate variation analysis
(instantaneous heart rate against time axis) has become a popular non-invasive tool for assessing the activities of the
autonomic nervous system (Acharya, et al, 2006). It provides non-invasive, unobtrusive information about
modulation of the heart rate by the autonomic nervous system for a variety of dynamic circumstances (Task Force of
the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996), including
evoked emotions (McCraty, at al, 1995) and exercise (Saito & Nakamura, 1995). Both time and frequency domain
measures have been used to assess HRV, but the latter is increasingly the method of choice among investigators. Skin
temperature and sweat rates are useful for assessing the severity of heat strain and to estimate tolerance. To
dissipate heat from deep body tissue to ambient environment, there should be an adequate heat gradient, i.e. the
difference between ambient temperature and skin temperature. When sweating is not effective enough, skin
temperature rises and the heat difference is reduced. A high skin temperature and low sweat rate comes together
with heat-related symptoms (Lu and Zhu, 2007).
Objective 4:
Design appropriate clothing for construction workers to meet with the extreme physiological
conditions as identified in the previous objective
On the basis of the findings from previous objectives, clothing for construction workers will be designed and
engineered by: (1) Selecting fibres and fabrics based on the testing results of their functional properties such as
thermal insulation, thermal radiation, air permeability, water vapour permeability and moisture management; (2)
designing different styles of clothing with consideration the coverage ratio of human body, tightness and ventilations;
(3) Carry out a systematic computational experiments to predict the heat stress levels and thermal comfort
performance of the clothing under the working conditions of construction workers by using the models and computer
software developed previously [30-51]; (4) Pre-optimize the designs according to simulation results; (5) Make block
patterns for the pre-optimized design and make garment prototypes for pilot testing on the thermal functional
performance; (6) Making a certain number of garments for wear trials and field studies.
Objective 5:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the newly designed clothing for construction workers
To evaluate the effectiveness of the newly designed clothing, the opinions will be sought from construction workers.
Participants will be invited to wear the newly designed clothing during their regular working activities for a number of
days. A focus group meeting will then be arranged to seek their opinions regarding the comfort, suitability,
practicality, acceptability and safeness of the clothing. Focus group meetings are considered as a convenient,
effective way to collect a vast amount of information from a group of participants to supplement the traditional oneto-one interview technique (Haslam, 2003). Focus group meetings will be organized to verify the identified practices
from a much wider audience. Vaughn et al. (1996) asserted that focus groups should possess two core elements: 1) a
trained moderator who sets the stage with prepared questions or an interview guide; and 2) the goal of eliciting
participants’ feelings, attitudes and perceptions about a selected meeting. Each focus group will be moderated by a
research team member, who will first make a short presentation of the newly designed clothing and set the stage
with the prepared questions. The participants will then be divided into groups of six to ten to sustain lively and active
discussion. Other research team members will be assigned to sit in each group to trigger discussions and responses.
Each group will then be asked to nominate a rapporteur to present the group’s findings and recommendations at the
end of the meeting. The information gathered from the focus group discussions will be analysed, documented and
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triangulated with data solicited from other sources before drawing up a conclusion. The findings will be used to
evaluate the effectiveness of the newly designed clothing.
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30. Li Yi, Zhu Q,Y, Yeung K.W, Influence of Thickness and Porosity on Coupled Heat and Liquid Moisture Transfer in Porous
Textiles. Textile Res. J., 2002. 72: p. 435–446.
31. Zhu Q.Y, Li Y., Effects of Pore Size Distribution and Fiber Diameter on the Coupled Heat and Liquid Moisture Transfer in
Porous Textiles. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 2003.46: p. 5099–5111
32. Y. Li, Z. Wang, Mathematical simulation of dynamic coupled heat and liquid moisture transfer in multilayer anisotropic
porous polymers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2004. 94: p. 1590-1605.
33. Y. Li, B.V. Holcombe, A Two-Stage Sorption Model of the Coupled Diffusion of Moisture and Heat in Wool Fabric. Textile Res.
J., 1992. 62: p. 211–217
34. Y. Li, Z.X. Luo, An improved mathematical simulation of the coupled diffusion of moisture and heat in wool fabric. Textile
Res.J., 1999. 69(10): p. 760-768
35. Li Yi, Q.Y. Zhu., A model of Coupled Liquid Moisture and Heat Transfer in Porous Textiles with Consideration of Gravity.
Numerical heat transfer, 2003. 43: p. 510-523
36. Li Y, Q.Y. Zhu, Simultaneous Heat and Moisture Transfer with Moisture Sorption, Condensation and Capillary Liquid Diffusion
in Porous Textiles. Research Journal, 2003. 73(6): p. 515-524
37. Z. Wang, Yi Li, Zhu Qingyong, and Luo Zhongxuan, Radiation and Conduction Heat Transfer Coupled with Liquid Water
Transfer, Moisture Sorption and Condensation in Porous Polymer Materials. J. Appl. Polymer Sci., 2003. 89: p. 2780–2790
38. Li Fengzhi, L.Yi, Liu Yingxi, Luo Zhongxuan, Numerical simulation of coupled heat and mass transfer in ygroscopic porous
materials considering the influence of atmospheric pressure. Numerical Heat Transfer, 2004. Part B(45): p. 249–262
39. Z. Wang, Y. Li, C.Y.Yeung and Y.L. Kwok, Influence of waterproof fabrics on coupled heat and moisture transfer in a clothing
system. Journal of the Society of Fiber Science and Technology, 2003. 59(5): p. 187-195.
40. Li Y, Zhu Q.Y, A Model of Heat and Moisture Transfer in Porous Textiles with Phase Change Materials. Textile Research
Journal, 2004. 74(5): p. 447-457
41. Li Y., Li F.Z., Zhu Q.Y., Numerical simulation of virus diffusion in facemask during breathing cycles. International Journal of
Heat and Mass Transfer, 2005. 48: p.4229–4242.
42. Z. Wang, Y. Li and A. S. W. Wong, Simulation of Clothing Thermal Comfort with Mathematical Models and Fuzzy Logic. In the
10th International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics,Fukuoka, Japan, 2002.Page 10
43. Z. Wang,, Y. Li, C. Y. Yeung, and Y. L. Kwok, Mathematical Simulation of the Perception of Fabric Thermal and Moisture
Sensations. Textile Research Journal, 2002. 72(4): p. 327-334
44. J.Y. Hu, Y. Li., K.W. Yeung, S. WONG, Moisture Management Tester: A Method to Characterize Fabric Liquid Moisture
Management Properties. Textile Res. J., 2005. 75(1): p. 57–62.
45. B.G. Yao, Y. Li, J.Y. Hu, Y.L. Ywok, K.W Yeung, An improved test method for characterizing the dynamic liquid moisture
transfer in porous polymeric materials, Polymer Testing, 2006. 25: p. 677-689.
46. Y. Li, B.V.H., Mathematical Simulation of Heat and Mass Transfer in Human-Clothing-Environment System. Textile Res. J,
1998. 67(5): p. 389-397
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Clothed Human Body. Journal of Thermal Biology, 2002
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Journal of Thermal Biology, 2004. 29: p.567-575.
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GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
50. A.H Mao, Y. Li, X.N Luo, R.M Wang, A CAD system for multi-style thermal functional design of clothing. Computer-Aided
design, Vol.40 2008, pp.916-930
51. A.H Mao, Y. Li, W.R. Wang, X.N Lou, Establishment of Computational Models for Clothing Engineering Design, WSEAS
TRANSACTIONS on COMPUTERS, Vol.7, No.6, 2008, pp.770-780
52. A.H Mao, Y. Li, W.R. Wang, X.N Lou, Computational Models and Engineering Design of Textile Products, Recent Advances in
Systems Engineering and Applied Mathematics in WSEAS conference, 2008,Istanbul in Turkey, pp.128-133
53. A.H Mao, Y. Li., R.M Wang, X.N Luo, Y.P Guo, Virtual thermal bioengineering system for life-oriented design of textile
products. in The 1st Textile Bioengineering and Informatics Symposium. 2008. Hong Kong, pp. 201-207
54. Yi Li, Weilin Xu, Kwok Wing Yeung, Moisture Management of Textiles, USA Patent No. 6,499,338 B2, Issue Date of Patent:
December 31, 2002
55. Li Y., Kwok Y.L., Yeung K.W. and Xu W.L., Composite Textile Material, USA Patent Office, Patent No. US6,806,214 B2, Issue
Date of Patent: Oct. 19, 2004
56. Wong A.S.W. and Li Y., Relationship between thermophysiological responses and psychological thermal perceptions during
exercise wearing aerobic wear, J. Thermal Biology, 29 (2004)
57. Wang Z., Y. Li, C.Y. Yeung and Y.L. Kwok, Mathematical Simulation of the Perception of Fabric Thermal and Moisture
Sensations, Textile Research Journal, 72(4), pp327-334 (2002)
58. Wong A.S.W. and Li Y., Performances of artificial intelligence hybrid models in prediction of clothing comfort from fabric
physical properties, Sen-i Gakkaishi, Vol.59, No.11 (2003), pp429-436
59. Li, Y., Perception of Temperature and Moisture in Clothing during Environmental Transients, Ergonomics, Volume 48,
Number 3 / February 22, 2005, pp. 234 – 248, (4/33,in Engineering, Industrial, Impact Factor: 0.853, top 15%)
60. Wong A.S.W. and Li Y., Prediction of clothing comfort perceptions using artificial intelligence hybrid models, Textile Res. J.,
74(1), 13-19 (2004)
61. Y. Li, K.S. Wong, W.Y. Chung, H. Tokura, Y.P. Guo, A. Wong, and J.Y. Hu, E. Newton, Impact of wearing facemasks on thermal
physiological and psychological responses, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vol.78(6),
pp501-510
62. S.X. Wang, Y. Li, J.Y.Hu, Hiromi Tokura, Effect of PCM Material on Energy Consumption of Intelligent Thermal Protective
Clothing, Polymer Testing, 25(2006), pp580-587
63. Yue-Ping Guo1, Yi Li1 *, Thomson GC Wong2, Joanne HY Chung2, Anthony SW Wong2, Mayur DI Gohel3, Polly HM Leung3,
Ameersing Luximon1 Evaluation of Different Kinds of PPE Ensembles in terms of Sensation, Usability, Satisfaction and
Preference, Ed by Yi L ,Journal of Fiber Bioengineering and Informatics,Vol 2, No 2, September 2009.
64. Guo YP (Guo, Yueping)1, Li Y (Li, Yi)1, Tokura H (Tokura, Hiromi)1, Wong T (Wong, Thomas)2, Chung J (Chung, Joanne)2,
Wong ASW (Wong, Anthony S. W.)2, Gohel MDI (Gohel, Mayur Danny Indulat)3, Leung PHM (Leung, Polly Hang Mei)3,
Impact of Fabric Moisture Transport Properties on Physiological Responses when Wearing Protective Clothing, TEXTILE
RESEARCH JOURNAL Volume: 78 Issue: 12 Pages: 1057-1069
65. Y. Li*, Y.P. Guo, T. Wong, J. Chung, Gohel D, P. Leung, Transmission of Communicable Respiratory Infections and Facemasks,
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2008:1 17–27
66. Yue Ping Guo, Li Yi*, Hiromi Tokura, Thomas Kwok Shing Wong, Joanne Wai Yee Chung, Mayur Danny Indulal Gohel, Polly
Hang-mei Leung, and Edward Newton, Evaluation on Masks with Exhaust Valves and with Exhaust Holes from Physiological
and Subjective Responses, J Physiol Anthropol, 27(2): 93–102, 2008
67. Y. Li, K.S. Wong, W.Y. Chung, H. Tokura, Y.P. Guo, A. Wong, and J.Y. Hu, E. Newton, Impact of wearing facemasks on thermal
physiological and psychological responses, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vol.78(6),
pp501-510
Plan for Collaboration
University
PolyU
Name
Prof Albert
Chan (BRE)
Prof Francis
Wong (BRE)
Area of contribution
Prof Chan is an active researcher in the Construction Safety Research Group. He will take
the overall lead in the proposed study and coordinate the research efforts of all research
team members.
Prof. Wong is a qualified building engineer as well as a chartered builder. He has good
industrial links and is a well experienced researcher in the area of construction safety. His
particular contributions in this research include the structured interviews and the focus
group meetings.
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CONFIDENTIAL
Dr Michael
Yam (BRE)
Dr Daniel
Chan (BRE)
IEd
GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
Dr. Yam is a member of the Construction Safety Research Group. He will participate in the
structured interviews and assist in the execution of the clinical experimental and field
studies.
Dr Chan is a member of the Construction Safety Research Group. He will assist in the
execution of the clinical experimental and field studies. Dr Chan will also participate in the
focus group meetings.
Dr Esther
Cheung
(BRE)
Dr. Esther Cheung is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and a member of the Construction
Safety Research Group. Dr Cheung will be involved in planning, designing, monitoring and
reporting of the research activities in the proposed research.
Prof Yi Li
(ITC)
Prof. Yi Li is an expert in clothing comfort and functional engineering design. Prof. Li will be
in charge of studying the thermal functions of clothing for construction workers, designing
and making clothing for testing and field studies.
Prof Chung is an expert in pain and symptom management. Prof Chung will be in charge
of the clinical experimental design and the execution of the clinical experimental and field
studies.
Dr Del Wong is a Sport and Exercise Physiologist, Certified Strength and Conditioning
Specialist, and Certified Health Fitness Specialist. He will contribute in the experimental
design and on site data collection.
Prof Joanne
Chung (SN)
Dr Del Wong
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CONFIDENTIAL
Research
Strategies
Literature review and
content analysis
Field survey and
garment sample
collection
GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
Research
Input
Information on clothing for
construction workers in hot and
humid weather
Information regarding how
comfortable they feel in their
current clothes, whether they
have any skin problems, what
protection they need etc.
Field study and statistical
analyses
Information on the workers’
physiological conditions and
environmental conditions
Design and engineering
Information on working
patterns and physiological
stresses
Focus group meeting
Opinions from construction
workers on newly designed
clothing
Research
Process
Content analyses / data
consolidation
Research
Output
Identification of the current
dressing pattern of construction
workers in hot and humid
weather
Testing, data analysis
and computer
simulation
Identification of the shortcomings
of the current dressing pattern in
hot and humid weather
On-site data collection
and data collection from
human test specimens,
derive thermal work
limit from environmental
data, conduct heart rate
variation analysis from
physiological data
Identification of the physiological
conditions of construction
workers under different
environments
Computer simulation,
design and garment making
and testing
Analyses of discussion and
presented ideas
1
2
3
Newly designed clothing for
construction workers under
different environments
4
Identification of the effectiveness
of newly designed clothing for
construction workers
5
Figure 1 Flow of the Overall Research Framework
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Research
Objectives
CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
Figure 2 Research Schedule
Research Activities
2012
2013
1.
2.
3.
Research group meetings
Examine the current dressing pattern
Literature review and content analyses
Data consolidation
Identify the shortcomings of the current
dressing pattern
- Field survey and garment sample
collection
- Testing, data analysis and computer
simulation
4. Determine the physiological conditions of
construction workers
- Collect environmental conditions on-site)
- Collect physiological conditions from
human test specimens
- Derive thermal work limit
- Heat rate variation analysis
- Derive physiological conditions of workers
under different environments
5. Design appropriate clothing for
construction workers
- Design and engineering garments
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of the newly
designed clothing for construction
workers
- Workers to try out the newly designed
clothes during their regular work activities
- Prepare presentation and design
discussion topics for focus group meeting
- Conduct focus group meeting
Page 13
2014
CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT GRF PROPOSAL FOR 2010-11
- Analyses of discussion and presented ideas
- Refinement of clothes (if necessary)
7. Dissemination
Produce papers for publication & presentation
Final report
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