ANTHROPOMETRY IN ENGINEERING DESIGN

(A CASE STUDY OF CASSAVA GRATING MACHINES INSTALLED IN

DOKO AND KUTIGI METROPOLIS OF LAVUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AREAS OF NIGER STATE)

Jonathan Jacob Shiru and Shehu Abubakar

Abstract:

The introduction of various types and sizes of machines in the

market for processing food has drawn the attention of many
engineers to the efficiency and safety of the operator during
the operation of those machines. There is the need to specify
the type of people to operate these machines based on
ergonomic standard. The functional grating machines were
number and ten selected from each village metropolis. The
Anthropometric measurements were carried out on two operators
in each station using measuring tape, ruler, office chair and
weighing scale. The study reveals that operators are of various
sizes and ages. The most important factor required in operation
is training. The anthropometric data collected were treated
statistically and the statistical result presented for use in
engineering. The statistical results can be used for
modification of existi ng machines for better performance,
designing of new machines and sitting facilities (stools and
chairs) during operation.

The history of mankind has of course always include the efforts to design tools and
other devices to better serve human need and to provide protection from adverse
environment. The profiles of man is filled with evidence of his efforts, both successful and
unsuccessful to improve facilities. Through the use of a particular device for example an
axe or a bow and arrow, it was possible to identify its deficiencies during use and to
modify it accordingly so that the next generation to use these devices can effectively use
them. (McComick and Sanders 1982). Evolutional process was important as a basis for
improvement in terms of human consideration. It was found for example, that some items
of military equipment such as high-speed aircraft, radar and fire control systems could not
be managed effectively by their operators, that human errors were excessive and that
many accidents occurred because of human mistakes which were attributed to design
deficiencies (Brigham, 1972). Also, some of the accidents occurring in industries during
operation are attributed to faulty engineering designs (Shiru, 2001). It is very
important to consider anthropometry aspects early in the design process and in a
systematic manner too.

Anthropometry is the measurement of the size and the proportions of the

human body (McCormick & Sanders 1982). The human body in its structure and
mechanical function occupies a central place in man machine systems design. Failure to
provide a few centimeters increase in length, which might be critical to the operator, can
jeopardize performance, operator's safety, and machine reliability. With proper food for
thought, these critical measurements can be provided without compromising the design.
The Nigerian Academic Forum Volume 22 No. 1, April, 2012
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Jonathan Jacob Shiru and Shehu Abubakar

An equipment, no matter how well engineered, can be destroyed or abused by an

uncomfortable efficient operator. By using reliable anthropometric data, it is possible to
establish proper size of equipment involving human use. For design purposes, two types of
anthropometric dimension are necessary; they are structural and functional dimensions.
(Sule, 1983).

Static (structural) body dimensions are taken with the body of the subjects in fixed (static)
standardized positions. Many different body features can be measured. The measurement
would of course have specific applications, such as in designing helmets, earphones or
frame of glasses. However, measurement of certain body features probably, have rather
general utilities. In the use of anthropometric data, one needs to be aware of the fact
that such data for different group of people vary considerably. Some indications of such
differences must be shown. The range of variability is from the 5th to the 95th percentage of
the sample from which the data were collected. Functional Body Dimensions are the body
dimensions taken under conditions in which the body is involved in some physical
movement. The central postulate of the emphasis on use of functional dimensions often
relates to the fact that in performing physical functions, the individual body members
normally operate not independently but rather in concert. The practical limit of arm reach
for example, is not the sole consequence of arm length. It is also affected in part by
shoulder movement, partial trunk rotation, possible bending of the back and the function
that is to be performed by the hand. Example of dimension for working positions
include prone, crawling, kneeling etc. while reaches for workspace layout include
overhead reach, thumb reach, lip reach, grasping reach etc. For the collection of reliable
anthropometric data, three conditions must be satisfied. (Adekoya, 1993) these are

1. The measuring technique must be specified and standard. This is the

only way data from different groups can be compared and test subjects
can be accurately located as percentiles of a user group.
2. The groups measured should be representative of equipment users
neglecting age, sex, race, and occupation, geographic locations and
socio economic status.
3. Samples should be large enough to yield required reliability. The term
reliability is used here to denote the extent to which results are
reproducible from sample to sample.

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Anthropometry in Engineering Design(A Case Study of Cassava Grating Machines Installed in
Doko and Kutigi Metropolis of Lavun Local Government Areas of Niger State)

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Jonathan Jacob Shiru and Shehu Abubakar

Fig. 1: Some Anthropometric data required in Engineering design: (a) Sitting height; (b)
Eye height (sitting); (c) shoulder-elbow; (d) should height (sitting); (e) hip breadth (sitting);
(f) buttock-knee length; (g) buttock-popliteal length; (h) knee height (sitting); (i) popliteal
height (sitting); (j) foot length; (k) foot breadth; (I) arm reach (m) standing height (n)
weight.
Source: Shiru, 2001

Anthropometric data for use in engineering design situations are best

presented in percentiles (Clifford, 1998). By definition a percentile is the value in the
range of a set of data which separates the range into groups so that a given percentage of
the measure lies below this value. Percentile table provide faster and more convenient
means of comprehending the dimensional range to be accommodated and of locating the
percentile equivalent of a measured value than those the curve of normal distribution.
Percentile can be useful to the design engineer in the following ways.
• They afford a basis for estimating the proportion of a group
accommodated.
• They permit the selection and the accurate use of test subjects.

Objectives
The objectives of this study are as follows:
• To measure anthropometric data of cassava grating machine operators
• To treat the data statistically to bring about the statistical values for each measurement
• To use the statistical values to compute the percentiles for the range of group
accommodated.
• To use the statistical values for the modification of existing cassava grating
machines for improved performance and operators comfort.

Materials and Methods

Anthropometric parameters for sample population were obtained in Lavun
Local Government, Niger State of Nigeria using measuring instruments.Two machine
operators were selected from each of the twenty stations bringing the sample population n
= 40.
The instruments used are as follows:
1. Weighing scale: To measure the weight
2. Measuring tape: for measuring various dimensions
3. Office Chair: For supporting operator during measurement
4. Ruler:Tomarktheelevel.

Results and Discussions

The measurements taken (fig. 1) were treated and using table 1 the results obtained
are shown on table 2 and 3. The result obtained compares favourably with McCormick and
Sanders, 1982 hence the percentiles computed at 5% and 95% in table 3 indicates the
category of operators that the installations properly fit. It invariably means that these
operators, even though they are not formally educated, are quite informed about some of
these principles. In fact, most of the operators train on the job for between six months and
two years.
Table 1: Factors for Computing Percentiles from Standard Deviation
Percentiles Factors (F)
0.5-99.5 2.258
1.0-99.0 2.326
2.5-97.5 1.960
5.0-95.0 1.645

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Anthropometry in Engineering Design(A Case Study of Cassava Grating Machines Installed in
15.0-85.0
Doko and Kutigi Metropolis of 1.036
Lavun Local Government Areas of Niger State)

20.0 - 80.0 0.842

25.0-75.5 0.674

30.0-70.0 0.524
Source: Adekoya, 1993

Table 2: Anthropometric Data of Operators in Lavun Local Government

Measurements Doko Metropolis Kutigi Metropolis

X + S.D. X + S.D.

a. Sitting height (cm) 76.51 5.66 74.11 6.21

b. Eye height sitting (cm) 53.15 5.46 52.20 6.10
c. Shoulder elbow length (cm) 33.20 1.40 31.10 3.80
d. Shoulder height sitting (cm) 45.52 6.33 42.35 5.61
e. Hip breath sitting (cm) 31.15 1.11 30.90 1.21
f. Buttock knee length (cm) 60.17 4.12 59.22 5.11
g- Buttock popliteal length (cm) 50.10 3.81 49.61 4.22
h. Knee height sitting (cm) 54.80 3.11 53.45 4.62
i. Popliteal height sitting (cm) 43.95 3.36 44.50 6.10
j- Foot length (cm) 24.22 1.21 24.90 1.92
k. Foot breath (cm) 9.10 0.76 8.82 0.82
1. Arm reach (cm) 67.19 6.81 65.72 9.21
m. Standing height (cm) 164.15 3.92 150.44 6.14
n. Weight (kg) 65.12 4.81 60.17 8.75

Table 3: Computer Percentiles of Anthropometric Data at 5% and 95% Values

Measurements Percentiles

% + S.D. 5% 95%
a. Sitting height (cm) 75.31 5.94 65.54 85.08
b. Eye height sitting (cm) 52.68 5.78 43.17 62.19
c. Shoulder elbow length (cm) 32.15 2.60 36.43 27.87
d. Shoulder height sitting (cm) 43.94 5.97 34.12 53.76
e. Hip breath sitting (cm) 31.03 1.16 29.12 32.94
f. Buttock knee length (cm) 59.70 4.62 52.10 67.30
g- Buttock popliteal length (cm) 49.86 4.02 43.25 56.47
h. Knee height sitting (cm) 54.13 3.87 47.71 60.52
i. Popliteal height sitting (cm) 44.23 4.73 36.45 52.01
j- Foot length (cm) 24.56 1.57 21.98 27.14
k. Foot breath (cm) 8.96 0.79 7.66 10.26
I. Arm reach (cm) 66.46 8.01 53.28 79.64

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Jonathan Jacob Shiru and Shehu Abubakar
m. Standing height (cm) 157.44 3.53 151.63 163.2
n. Weight (kg) 62.65 6.78 51.50 73.80

The Procedure for Computing Percentiles

The steps involve in computing percentile after obtaining the anthropometric data is as
follows:

Therefore, 5th percentile = 75.31 - 1.645 x 5.94 = 65.54kg

From equation 5:
95th percentile = 75.31 + 1.645 x 5.94 = 85.08kg
Therefore, 95% of the sample has a weight less than 85.08kg

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Anthropometry in Engineering Design(A Case Study of Cassava Grating Machines Installed in
Doko and Kutigi Metropolis of Lavun Local Government Areas of Niger State)
Application of Anthropometric Data in Design Situations
The correct procedure for design equipment using anthropometric data involves
the following:
i. Determine the body dimensions important in the design (e.g. sitting height as a
basic factor in seat to roof distance in automobiles, trucks, tractors cab designs.)
ii. Define the population to use the equipment. This establishes the dimensional
range that needs to be considered (e.g. students, drivers, military personnel) in the
design.
iii. Select the percentage of the population to be accommodated e.g. 90%, 98%, or
whatever is relevant to the problem. It is pertinent to note that a minimum dimension,
or aspects of a facility would usually be based on an upper percentile value of the
relevant anthropometric features of the sample used. Such as the 90th or 99th percentile.
The design of doors, escape hatches, passageways and the minimum weight carried
by supporting devices such as chairs, ropes, ladders etc. Fall into this category. On
the other hand, maximum dimension of facilities would be predicated on lower
percentile (say 1st, 5th, or 10th) of the data. An example is the distance control
devices from an operator. If those with short functional arm reach can reach a
control, persons with longer arm reach generally could also do so.

iv. Certain features of equipment or facilities prepared should be adjustable in order to

accommodate people of varying sizes. The forward backward adjustment of
automobile seats and the vertical adjustments of typist chairs are examples. In the
design of adjustable items such as these, it is fairly common practice to do so for the
range of cases from 5th to the 95th percentiles v. Extract the values of the selected
percentages from the appropriate
anthropometric data tables.

vi. Determine the type of cloth and personnel equipment that will be worn (e.g.
helmets, ear-protector, workshop overalls, civilian clothing, military clothing etc.)
and add the relevant clothing increments to the values indicated in the dimension.

Conclusion
Anthropometric aspect must be considered for the proper design of physical
equipment or facilities, it is of utmost importance to define the population of the intended
users. This is because the human body occupies a central place in the design of man-
machine systems. By following specified procedure, the relevant anthropometric data can
be measured, collated and then analysed for a sample of the population. The analysed data
can then be used in the design of equipment, facilities environments and installation of
machines such that functional effectiveness and human comfort are enhanced.

References
Adekoya, L. O. (1993) Suitability of Existing Tractors from the Human Factorspoints of
view. Tropical Agriculture, 70(2),141 - 146.

Brigham, R. R. (1972) Ergonomic Problems in Ship Control Applied

Ergonomics 3(1),14 - 19.

Clifford, S. (1998) Ergonomics in apple sorting.A pilot study center for postharvest and
refrigeration research, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand. 323 -
330.

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Jonathan Jacob Shiru and Shehu Abubakar
Gomez, K. A. & Gomez, A. A. (1984). Statistical procedure for agricultural research.
John Willey and Sons Int.

McCormick, E. J. & Sander, M. S. (1982), Human factors in engineering design.

McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, Fifth Edition

Shiru, J. J. (2001) Assessment of ergonomic factors in selected small-scale mills in

Minna, Niger State. M.Eng Thesis, Dept. of Agric Engineering, Federal
University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

Sule, Y. W. (1983). Selected ergonomic studies of commonly used manually operated

farm tools. M.Sc. Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Department of
Agricultural Engineering, Zaria.

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