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Ergonomics Anthropometrics

This document discusses anthropometrics, which is the measurement of human body size and proportions. It outlines how to measure both static body dimensions when stationary and dynamic dimensions during movement. The goal of anthropometric data and measurements is to incorporate human variability into product and workplace designs to optimize comfort, performance, safety and health for all users.

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Marojahan
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641 views34 pages

Ergonomics Anthropometrics

This document discusses anthropometrics, which is the measurement of human body size and proportions. It outlines how to measure both static body dimensions when stationary and dynamic dimensions during movement. The goal of anthropometric data and measurements is to incorporate human variability into product and workplace designs to optimize comfort, performance, safety and health for all users.

Uploaded by

Marojahan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ergonomics

Anthropometrics
Outline
• Anthropometrics
• Measuring Anthropometrics
• Static Dimension
• Dynamic Dimension
• Anthropometrics Data Tables
• Design by Anthropometrics
Let’s Start with this…
Open your mind…
Anthrop-what?
• Anthro·pom·etry  deals with human body
shape and size.
• “Anthropos” (greek) = person, human being
• “Metron” (greek) = measure, limit, extent
• “Anthropometrics” = measurement of people
Measuring Anthropometrics

Transverse Plane Frontal Plane Sagittal Plane


Measuring Anthropometrics
• Two main points in measurement:
▫ Static Dimension
▫ Dynamic Dimension
Static Dimensions
• Definition: “Measurements taken when the
human body is in a fixed position, which typically
involves standing or sitting”.
• Types
 Size: length, height, width, thickness
 Distance between body segment joints
 Weight, Volume, Density = mass/volume
 Circumference
 Contour: radius of curvature
 Centre of gravity
 Clothed vs. unclothed dimensions
 Standing vs. seated dimensions
Static Dimensions
Static Dimension
Static Dimension
Palm dimension

Foot dimension
Static Dimension
Head Dimensions
Static Dimensions
• Static Dimensions are related to and vary with
other factors, such as …
• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Occupation
• Percentile within Specific Population Group
• Historical Period (diet and living conditions)
Static Dimensions
Anthropometry and aging

AGE

Lengths
and
Heights

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Age (years)
Static Dimensions
• Equipment design for 90% of US males would
fit:
▫ 90% of Germans
▫ 80% of Frenchmen
▫ 65% of Italians
▫ 45% of Japanese
▫ 25% of Thais
▫ 10% of Vietnamese
Dynamic Dimension
• Definition: “Measurements taken when the human
body is engaged in some physical activity”.
• Types: Static Dimensions (adjusted for movement),
Rotational Inertia, Radius of Gyration
Dynamic Dimension
• Principle 1 - Estimating
▫ Conversion of Static Measures for Dynamic Situations
 e.g. dynamic height = 97% of static height
 e.g. dynamic arm reach = 120% of static arm length
Dynamic Dimension
• Principle 2 - Integrating
▫ The entire body operates together to determine the
value of a measurement parameter
 e.g. Arm Reach = arm length + shoulder movement + partial
trunk rotation and + some back bending + hand movement
Dynamic Dimension
Anthropometrics Data Table
Useful Anthropometrics for Design
• Clearance
▫ Leg room, head room, & access to confined spaces
• Reach
▫ Designed for 5th%ile, thus 95th%ile of users can reach further
• Strength
▫ Similar to reach, 95% are stronger than required in design
• Posture
▫ Complex, limits may be imposed in multiple directions,

• e.g. Too high for a short person as bad as too low for a tall
person
Common uses of
Anthropometric variables
• Standing eye height:
▫ Maximum height for visual display = height of short
person’s eye height

• Standing elbow height:


▫ Maximum bench height for standing work
▫ Delicate = higher
▫ High force = lower
Common uses of
Anthropometric variables
• Sitting elbow height:
▫ Arm rest heights & work surface heights

• Hip breadth:
▫ Minimum seat width
Ergonomic Design Principles
1.Designing for the Average

2.Designing for the Extremes

3.Designing for Adjustment

4.Designing for special purposes


Ergonomic design steps
• Decide who you are designing for
▫ first of all you need to know exactly who you are
designing for.
▫ The group of people you are designing for is called
the user population.
Ergonomic design steps
• Decide which body measurements are
relevant
▫ You need to know which parts of the body are
relevant to your design
Ergonomic design steps
• Decide whether you are designing for the
'average' or extremes or adjustment
▫ nobody is 'average' in all body dimensions. Someone
might be say, of average height but have a longer than
average hand length.
▫ You may use %ile concept
Ergonomic design steps
• %ile concept
Ergonomic design steps
Ergonomic design steps
• Add dimensional allowances for any
clothing, equipment, safety precautions,
and task performance

• Think about other human factors


Design for Everyone
• Design processes that consider human
variability will influence:
▫ Comfort / Musculoskeletal pain
▫ Comfort = productivity, visual & muscle fatigue
Ong (1984)
• Performance / Usability
▫ 25% improvement in data-entry operators
• Health & Safety
▫ Short term: reduce muscle action, i.e. fatigue
▫ Long term: sickness absence - back, neck pain,
repetitive strain injuries.
Group Assignments I :
• Ergonomics anthropometric assessment (using
5W + 1H)
• Design a product/tool for special population,
briefly describe what dimension can be used for
your design

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