The Thermal Comfort Performance in an Indonesian Refugee Tent: Existing Conditions and Redesigns

Muhammad Haiqal, Laina Hilma Sari (), Husni Husin, Akhyar Akhyar, Abdul Munir and Kamila Bilqis
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Muhammad Haiqal: Doctoral Program of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Tgk. Chik Pante Kulu 5, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Laina Hilma Sari: Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Syech Abdurrauf 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Husni Husin: Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Syech Abdurrauf 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Akhyar Akhyar: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Syech Abdurrauf 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Abdul Munir: Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Syech Abdurrauf 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Kamila Bilqis: Doctoral Program of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jalan Tgk. Chik Pante Kulu 5, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: Refugee tents are essential temporary shelters in disaster-prone regions like Aceh, Indonesia, which experiences a warm and humid tropical climate. Ensuring thermal comfort in these shelters is crucial for the well-being and recovery of displaced individuals. This study evaluates the thermal comfort of refugee tents deployed in Aceh through a combination of field measurements and computational simulations using Ansys Fluent 19.2 (CFD software). Field measurements captured real-time environmental data, including temperature, humidity, and airflow inside and around the tents. Thermal comfort was assessed using the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 03-6572-2001) through Effective Temperature (ET), and the ASHRAE 55 through Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD). This study also analyzed the thermal performance of alternative tent configurations designed to improve thermal comfort in tropical climates. Two new tent designs were proposed: one with rooftop openings to release trapped hot air and another with both upper ventilation and a double-layer outer skin with a 10 cm air gap. The results show that the tent with upper ventilation reduces the air temperature by approximately 0.5 K and increases air speed by around 0.18 m/s. The design combining upper ventilation and a double skin achieves a greater temperature reduction of 2.9 K compared to the outside environment, with a faster airflow than ventilation alone. These findings highlight the importance of advanced ventilation strategies and thermal insulation in improving indoor environments, offering valuable insights for future refugee tent designs aimed at enhancing thermal comfort.

Keywords: refugee tent; Aceh; thermal comfort; field measurement; CFD simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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