A modified model for predicting thermal sensation based on local radiant temperature incorporating solar radiation

The growing prevalence of glazed surfaces in contemporary architecture has positioned solar exposure as a critical determinant influencing occupant thermal comfort. Given the directional characteristics of solar radiation, its effects are typically localized to specific anatomical areas. To quantify this spatial variability, we introduced a local radiant temperature (LRT) metric that integrates key parameters of solar radiation. Building upon this metric, we developed two modified solar-adjusted predicted mean vote (SA-PMV) models: a local thermal sensation model (mSA-PMV L ) and a whole-body thermal sensation model (mSA-PMV O ). Experimental investigations in controlled climate environments (14 °C and 18 °C air temperatures) captured thermal responses from 20 participants exposed to simulated solar radiation intensities of 200 and 300 W/m 2 . The results demonstrate that LRT revealed pronounced thermal disparities across body segments (ΔLRT max = 22.2 °C between irradiated and non-irradiated zones) under solar exposure. Using irradiated-side LRT, mSA-PMV L achieved superior prediction accuracy for local thermal sensation. For whole-body thermal sensation, an anterior-weighted mPMV ant model by appropriately weighting LRT on irradiated sides performed best (MAE = 0.04 and RMSE = 0.05), outperforming conventional SA-PMV. The models enable dynamic adjustment of acceptable operative temperature based on solar intensity, supporting the design of adaptive facades and precision HVAC systems in highly-glazed buildings.