Developing an Artificial Intelligence-based Thermal Sensation Model through Analysis of the Thermal Image Profile of Occupants

PhD Candidate: Ms Kushani Semasinghe

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Abstract

Individual thermal comfort studies are fundamental for balancing both occupant thermal comfort and building energy consumption. Thus, the individual thermal comfort models are expected to play a key role in the development of smart built environment. Furthermore, the inability to measure individual thermal comfort states in real time will prevent energy optimisation method developments. Intrusive technologies and methods are commonly used in measuring thermal comfort related personal data. Infrared technology has received significant attention from researchers because of its non-intrusive nature for collecting personal data. However, a defined method to identify a relationship between individual thermal sensation in real time and thermal image profiles of occupants captured using Infrared devices is absence in current literature. Non-existence of such a relationship leads to an absence in truly occupant-centric thermal comfort model development. Therefore, this research primarily focuses on developing individual thermal comfort models in real time state based on the relationship between thermal sensation and thermal image profile. The research further explores the development of Digital Twin model based on the developed individual thermal comfort models.

Source of Funding

Higher Degree Research Scholarship Western Sydney University, 2023

Biography

Kushani is an Architect who is presently a PhD candidate at the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment at the Western Sydney University. She obtained her Bachelor of Architecture (Hons.) degree from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Having obtained her undergraduate degree, Kushani joined the Sri Lankan building industry as an Architect. She received her professional accreditation by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects in 2020 and holds Associate Membership at the same institute. She was a senior project Architect at Damith Premathilake Architects for 2 years until she moved to Australia to pursue her research studies in 2020. At the University of New South Wales, Kushani started her career as a research assistant in 2021 and sharpened her skills in built environment research.  Her PhD focuses on understanding the impact of urban overheating and extreme climate condition on mental health of vulnerable people living in social housing, Australia.

Education

• Bachelor of Architecture (Hons.), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Honours / Awards / Grants

• Higher Degree Research Scholarship Western Sydney University, 2023
• Highly commended student research paper in 10th FARU International Research Conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2017
• Highest Grade for Final year Comprehensive Design Project (A⁺) - Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa (2017)
• Dean’s List- Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa (2017)

Professional Affiliations

• AIA (SL): Associate Member, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2020-To present)

Research Interests

• Low energy architecture and passive cooling of buildings
• Indoor environmental quality
• Sustainable building design: new and retrofit
• Innovative materials and designs for building envelope
• Building energy efficiency
• High performance buildings

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