Numerical investigation into the influence of occlusions on the radiant temperature fields of globe thermometers in asymmetric radiant indoor environments

• A model of radiant temperature field (RTF) for globe thermometers (GTs) is developed. • This model focuses on calculating RTF of GTs under occlusions. • The effects of occlusion on RTF of GTs in a room with a cooling ceiling are assessed. • Occlusions caused by the human body have a remarkable influence on RTF of GTs. The radiant temperature field is an important factor affecting the thermal behaviour of globe thermometers. However, studies on the radiant temperature fields of globe thermometers under occlusions in asymmetrical radiant indoor environments are lacking. In this study, a finite-element model that considers occlusions is proposed to calculate the radiant temperature fields of globe thermometers. Three occlusion scenarios of a globe thermometer placed at the centre of a typical radiant cooling room with a cooling ceiling were studied. The results indicate that the globe thermometer experiences minimal effects on the radiant temperature field from occlusions caused by other globe thermometers in the horizontal direction. However, globe thermometers positioned vertically relative to the main globe thermometer have a partial impact on the radiant temperature field. Moreover, the human body has a remarkable influence on the radiant temperature field, with the root-mean-square error of radiant temperatures owing to the human body reaching up to 1.49 °C. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid placing a globe thermometer near the human body when conducting measurements in radiant cooling indoor environments. This study provides theoretical guidance for the placement of globe thermometers in thermal comfort research related to asymmetrical radiant indoor environments.