10. Engineering Anthropometry

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10. Engineering Anthropometry
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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?
• Agethese typically increase through to the 20s,
  then begin decrease in early to mid adulthood
  (30)
• Sex/gendermales tend to have larger dimensions
• Ethnic backgroundsvariations due to
  commonalities in a culture
• Occupationthe job task requirements may increase
  some of the dimensions (strength, masses,
  circumferences, etc.) and other may decrease
  these dimensions (due to lack of use)

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Measurement Positions and Devices

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

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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 cant 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

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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