AN ANALYSIS OF THERMAL COMFORT INDICES BASED ON THE TEMPERATURE - HUMIDITY INDEX OF ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
AN ANALYSIS OF THERMAL COMFORT INDICES BASED ON THE TEMPERATURE - HUMIDITY INDEX OF ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2015-07
Authors
Abdulkareem, GARBA
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Abstract
The study revealed that the temperature and relative humidity range vary across the period of
the study, in which 1998 has the highest maximum temperature range of 10oC. And 1994 has the
lowest minimum temperature range of 5.4oC. this is associated with relatively large increase in
daily maximum temperature than min temperature. Similarly, the Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
for temporal variation in Temperature, Relative humidity and Temperature – Humidity Index,
revealed „f‟ calculated as greater than „f‟ tabulated at 0.05 significance level. Temperature has
f-calculated =4.12, RH=7.85 and THI=4.52. This is a clear indication that there is temporal
variation in Temperature, Relative humidity and Temperature – Humidity Index. And the Time
Series analysis established the trend in temperature, relative humidity and temperature –
humidity index with a positive slope trend line equation of y=0.063× + 2409 for temperature,
y=0.094× + 4327 for relative humidity and y=0.092× + 2997 for THI. This implies that on the
average, in every additional year, temperature, RH and THI are increasing by their respective
trend line equation. Relating THI and human comfort, it was observed that on monthly basis
some THI values were within the 22 – 27 degrees Celsius comfort limit which indicates comfort
periods while others were either below 22 degrees Celsius or above 27 degrees Celsius which
indicates discomfort periods. Based on annual THI, is was observed that throughout the study
period, the comfort limit was constantly higher than 22 – 27 degrees Celsius comfort limit for
Zaria, thus there was thermal discomfort conditions throughout the study period. Also the result
of correlation analysis with p-value .000, .001 and .000 for temperature, relative humidity and
THI respectively, indicates that temperature, relative humidity and temperature - humidity index
are correlated, which show that there is significant relationship between them. The study was
conducted using secondary data. Daily minimum and maximum temperature and relative
humidity data from 1975 to 2010 were sourced from the Institute of Agricultural Research
Metrological Unit (I.A.R) Zaria. Data such as the monthly range of temperature and relative
humidity were derived by subtracting lowest record of temperature and relative humidity from
the highest record respectively; Data were also presented using line graphs and tables. Data
were also analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The aim of this
study was to determine the relationship between temperature, humidity and comfort index of
Zaria metropolis. The objectives of the study include determining the monthly and annual range
of temperature and relative humidity in the study area, examine the mean temporal variation in
temperature, relative humidity and temperature – humidity index (THI), establishing the trend in
temperature, relative humidity and temperature – humidity index, and finally, to examine the
impact of THI on human comfort. Based on the findings in this research, it is recommended that
the study area should establish a Specialized Research Programmes (SRP) in the aspect of
thermal comfort indices, to encourage tree planting, urban planning to create space for free air
movement, greening the environment. All these are measures to improve human comfort index in
the area. They can be implemented through funding of such research by association of climate
scientist and other organizations that have concern with climate change issue.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIRMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN GEOGRAPHY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ANALYSIS,, THERMAL,, COMFORT INDICES,, BASED,, TEMPERATURE - HUMIDITY,, INDEX OF ZARIA,, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.