Anthropometry

- Refers to the measurement of the human body

Anthropometric Data
- Anthropometric data is a mass of collected information, and for it to be useful it has to
be sorted out and treated in a manner relevant to the sizing of clothing so as to cover a
large proportion of the targeted population.

Types of Anthropometric Data

• Structural Anthropometric Data
• Functional Anthropometric Data

Structural Anthropometric Data

• Structural Anthropometric Data are measurements of the bodily dimensions of
subjects in fixed (static) position.
Examples
 To specify furniture dimensions.
 To determine range of clothing size.

Functional Anthropometric Data

• Functional Anthropometric Data are taken under conditions in which the body is
engaged in some physical activities.
Examples
 Design of crane cabs
 Design of vehicle interiors

Uses of Anthropometric Data

• To fit the task to the person
• To avoid physical mismatches between dimensions of equipment and products
and the corresponding user.
 • To design for variability in people and not for the average.

Applying Anthropometric Data

• Select anthropometric measures that relate to defined design dimensions.
• Pick out the unwanted data.
• Combine all selected design values in a careful drawing, computer model to
check their compatibility.
• Determine whether one design will fit all users. If not, several sizes or adjustment
must be provided to fit all users.

Application of Anthropometry in Design

Some of the applications of anthropometric data are:
 Determine the body dimensions.
 Determine what principle is to be applied.
 Defining equipment and facilities.
 Space requirements.

1. Body Dimensions
Minimum dimensions
 A door handle must not be lower than the highest standing knuckle height in a
population so that all users can open the door without stooping.
 The width of a chair must be no narrower than the hip breadth of a large woman.
 The height of a doorway must be no lower than the stature of a tall man (plus an
allowance for clothing and shoes).

Maximum Dimensions
• A door lock must be no higher than the maximum vertical reach of a small person
• Seat heights and depths must not exceed the maximum height and buttock-knee
lengths of small users.
2. Principles in Anthropometric Data
There are three principles for applying anthropometric data to specific design
problems;
 Design for Extreme Individuals.
 Design for Adjustable Range
 Design for The Average

3. Equipment and Facilities

Criteria of judgement of design features of physical equipment and facilities:
 Comfort
 Work performance
 Safety, physical effects

Equipment’s are of three kinds:

 Spaces into which men fits
 Tools or controls which men use
 Protective clothing and devices

4. Spaces
• One of the applications of the anthropometric data is the design of work spaces,
including the work-space envelopes.
• The limits of the work-space envelope for seated personnel are determined by
functional arm reach, which is influenced by:
 Presence of any restraints
 Apparel worn
 Angle of back
Anthropometric Variables

 Standing eye height:

 Standing shoulder height
 Standing elbow height
 Standing knuckle height
 Standing fingertip height
 Sitting height
 Sitting elbow height
 Popliteal height
 Knee height and thigh depth
 Shoulder width: Hip breadth
 Abdominal/chest depth
 Vertical reach (sitting and standing)
 Reach

Advantages of Anthropometric Data

• Increase accuracy
• Reduce fatigue
• Better comfort
• Reduce chance of injuries
• Time management