10. Engineering Anthropometry

1. 10. Engineering Anthropometry

2. Anthropometry • What is it? Study of human body dimensions, inclusions of data on human body dimensions in the engineering process • How is it used in Ergonomics? Workplace, equipment, tool, and product design • Types of anthropometric data • Segment lengths • Segment mass, volume, weight, density • Range of motion • Strength capabilities • What personal factors affect these dimensions? • Age—these typically increase through to the 20’s, then begin decrease in early to mid adulthood (~30) • Sex/gender—males tend to have larger dimensions • Ethnic backgrounds—variations due to commonalities in a culture • Occupation—the job task requirements may increase some of the dimensions (strength, masses, circumferences, etc.) and other may decrease these dimensions (due to lack of use)

3. Measurement Positions and Devices • Positions • Standing upright naturally • Standing upright erect • Seated erect • Lying supine • Static measures—measures taken when body is in a fixed position (most common) • Dynamic measures—taken during physical activity (reduced from loadings, workplace restrictions, clothing restrictions, etc.)—more representative but harder to collect • Devices • Anthropometers • Calipers • Measuring tapes

4. Anthropometry Design Rules • Use data for the primary user group • Design for universal operability • Reach distances, clearances, etc. • Design to accommodate a large range of users (90-95% of the population) • If can’t make the “product” adjustable, then provide some other way to accommodate workers of different proportions • When do we design for the extremes? • Doorways • Escape hatches • Distance to control buttons • Force requirements

5. Anthropometry Procedure • Determine the applicable body parts • Determine the user population • Determine the percentile to accommodate • Calculate the appropriate dimension(s) • Consider: heels, clothing, gloves, helmets, coats, etc. • Determine the range of adjustability