title: A novel approach for fit analysis of thermal protective clothing using three-dimensional body scanning.
abstract: The garment fit played an important role in protective performance, comfort and mobility. The purpose of this study is to quantify the air gap to quantitatively characterize a three-dimensional (3-D) garment fit using a 3-D body scanning technique. A method for processing of scanned data was developed to investigate the air gap size and distribution between the clothing and human body. The mesh model formed from nude and clothed body was aligned, superimposed and sectioned using Rapidform software. The air gap size and distribution over the body surface were analyzed. The total air volume was also calculated. The effects of fabric properties and garment size on air gap distribution were explored. The results indicated that average air gap of the fit clothing was around 25-30 mm and the overall air gap distribution was similar. The air gap was unevenly distributed over the body and it was strongly associated with the body parts, fabric properties and garment size. The research will help understand the overall clothing fit and its association with protection, thermal and movement comfort, and provide guidelines for clothing engineers to improve thermal performance and reduce physiological burden.
authors.affiliation: National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Laboratory for Clothing Physiology and Ergonomics, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
authors.forename: Yehu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, 331 Human Ecology Building, Edmonton T6G 2N1, AB, Canada. Electronic address: guowen.song@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Guowen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Protective Clothing Research Center, Fashion Institute, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China; Key Laboratory of Clothing Design and Technology, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 20051, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D002056:Burns / Q000517:prevention & control; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008348:Manikins; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009790:Occupations; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000592:standards*; D013784:Textiles
keywords: Fit analysis; Protective clothing; Three-dimensional body scanning