Discomfort Index

Overview

Engineering reference data for Discomfort Index in physiology.

Key Formulas

Basal Metabolic Rate

$BMR \propto M^{0.75}$

Kleiber's law — metabolic rate scales with body mass.

Heat Loss

$Q = hA(T_{skin} - T_{air})$

Convective heat loss from body.

Variables

Alternative Formulas

The Discomfort Index (DI) can be calculated using either of the following empirical formulas:

$$DI = 0.4 (t_d + t_w) + 15$$ $$DI = 0.55 t_d + 0.2 t_{dp} + 17.5$$

Variables

• $DI$: Discomfort Index
• $t_d$: Dry bulb temperature (°F)
• $t_w$: Wet bulb temperature (°F)
• $t_{dp}$: Dew point temperature (°F)

Interpretation

A higher value of the Discomfort Index ($DI$) indicates a greater level of thermal discomfort.

References

• Original Source