Transcript Office Workstations: Chairs - Human Factors Engineering at Arizona

Anthropometry
Rebecca W. Boren, Ph.D.
IEE 437/547
Introduction to Human Factors Engineering
Arizona State University
November 9, 2011
Anthropometry
 The
study and
measurement of
human body
dimensions.
Data are used to develop design
guidelines for heights, clearances, grips,
and reaches of workplaces and equipment
for the purpose of accommodating the
body dimensions of the potential work
force.
Anthropometric data are applied in the
design of consumer products such as
clothes, automobiles, bicycles, furniture,
hand tools, etc.
Human Variability

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
Age
Gender
Racial & ethnic group
Occupation
Generational
Transient diurnal
(time of day)
People come in all
shapes and sizes.
Young
And old
Different
ethnicities
Variety &
Diversity
Anthropometric Variance Parameters
Gender
Height, size, weight,
strength, and body
proportion.
Age
Height, size, weight,
strength, and body
proportion.
Ethnicity
Height, size,
weight, and body
segment
proportion
Anthropometry of Motor Vehicle Occupants
From Jockeys to Basketball Players
Height matters
Data

Structural data are measurements
taken with the body in static positions.
(examples: height, waist, length of the
forearm)
Data

Functional (dynamic) anthropometric
data are obtained when the body adopts
various working postures (ex. reach
envelope of the right hand)
Most human measurements fit the
normal distribution
 Height
 Weight
 Reach
 Shoe
size
 Clothing sizes
Most anthropometric data comes
from military data.
Normal distribution

Percentiles - 50th is
the mean of the
population.
16th
50th
84th
Percentiles

A percentile is the percent of the
population with a body dimension of a
certain size or smaller. For example: a
man in the 37th percentile for stature
(height) is taller than 37% of the male
population and shorter than 63%.
Use of anthropometric data in design
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Determine
Determine
Determine
population
the intended users.
the relevant body dimensions.
the percentage of the
to be accommodated.
Use of anthropometric data in design

Determine the percentage of the
population to be accommodated.
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
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Design for the extremes (safety)
Design for adjustable range
(seats and steering wheels of
cars; office chairs)
Design for the average as a last
resort (checkout counters)
Use of anthropometric data in design

Determine the percentile value of the
selected anthropometric dimension (5%,
95%, or some other).
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Example: design a stool to accommodate the
95th percentile of male body weight. That
should include most people.
Design a tray to be carried by workers to be
light enough for the 5th percentile of women.
Use of anthropometric data in design

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Make necessary modifications to the data
to take in to consideration clothing,
gloves, and headwear.
Use mock-ups or simulators to test the
design.
General Principles
Reach requirements - consider the
smallest users (5th percentile)
General Principles
Reach requirements - consider the
smallest users (5th percentile)
General Principles
Clearance requirements - consider
the largest users (95th percentile)
Adjustability requirements

Adjusting the workplace (shape, location,
and orientation of the workplace)
Adjustability requirements

Adjusting the worker position relative to
the workplace (change in seat height, use
of platforms or step-up stools)
Adjustability requirements

Adjusting the work piece (lift tables, parts
bin for easier access)
Adjustability requirements

Adjusting the tool (ex. adjustable length
tool)
Lightweight snow scraper
with extension
Here are two examples of
adjustable seating.
Questions?