Exploring the Development Trajectory and Dynamic Frontiers of Numerical Simulation Method Applied in Thermal Protective Clothing Investigation

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of digital technology and intelligent algorithms, numerical simulation has become an important approach for investigating the thermal transport behavior and protective performance of thermal protective clothing (TPC). To provide a systematic understanding of the development and current research landscape of numerical simulation of thermal protective clothing (NSTPC), this study reviewed the development status of NSTPC through statistical analysis, bibliometric methods, and in-depth literature reading. The theoretical foundations, model construction, and development process of NSTPC were analyzed, with particular emphasis on heat transfer mechanisms, moisture transport, multilayer material structures, and fabric–air gap–skin interfaces. The results indicated that NSTPC has developed along multiple directions, with models ranging from one-dimensional to three-dimensional approaches, from material- and layer-level representations to garment-level simulations, and from single-physics heat transfer models to coupled multi-physics models. These approaches continue to coexist and are employed for different research purposes. Future research may further explore coupled multi-physics field simulation, dynamic simulations of the human body and heat exposure scenarios, the design and evaluation of novel high-performance thermal protective materials and coatings, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with numerical simulation. These findings provide a systematic knowledge base for understanding NSTPC development and support the design, performance evaluation, optimization, and safety assessment of TPC.