TECH 434

ANTHROPOMETRY and TASK ANALYSIS

Study of Body Dimensions

• Measurement of the Dimensions
• Physical Characteristics
• Static Measurement
• Dynamic Measurement

Two Primary Types of Body Measurement

• Static
• Dynamic (Functional)

Engineering Anthropometry
Application of both types of data to the design of the things people use

Static Dynamics
• Measurements taken when body in a fixed state (static)
• Skeletal Dimensions (between the centers of joints, i.e.. Between elbow and wrist)
• Contour Dimensions (skin surface/head circumference)
• Body measurements vary as a function of:
• Age
• Gender
• Ethnic populations
• Blacks tend to have longer legs than Whites

Dynamic (Functional) Dimensions

• Taken when body is engaged some physical activity
• Body members function in concert

There is no systematic procedure for translating static anthropometric data into

dynamic measurements
• Kroemer (1983) - Rules of Thumb
– Heights (stature, eye shoulder,hip); reduce by 3%
– Elbow height: No Change, or increase by up to 5 % if elevated at work
– Knee or popliteral height, sitting: No Change, except with high-heel shoes
– Forward and lateral reaches: Decrease by 30% for convenience, increase
by 20% for extensive shoulder and trunk motions
– VERY ROUGH ESTIMATES-AFFECTED BY POSTURE,WORK
CONDITIONS

Use of Anthropometric Data

• Use in designing - the data should be reasonably representative of the population
that will use the item
– Often done for “the population at large” - implying design features must
accommodate a broad spectrum of people
TECH 434
ANTHROPOMETRY and TASK ANALYSIS

– Designing for a specific group (handicapped, adult females, children,

football players, elderly) data should be specific for each group
– Data for many specific groups not available

Principles in the Application of Anthropometric Data

• Design for Extreme Individuals
• Designing for Adjustable Range
• Designing for the Average

Anthropometric Design Principles

• Determine body dimensions important in design (sit height as basic factor in seat-
to-roof in automobiles)
• Define population to use the equipment/facilities
• Determine what principle should be applied (extremes, average or adjustable
ranges)
• When relevant, select % of
• users served (90%, 95%) whatever is relevant to the problem
• Use anthropometric tables appropriate for the population, & use data
• Special clothing, add appropriate allowances
• Build full-scale mock-up of equipment/facility & use it w/user population
• All the anthropometric data in world cannot substitute for a full-scale mock-up

Arrangement of Components within A Physical Space

Principles of Arranging Components

General Guidelines
• Importance Principle - degree the component is vital to the achievement of the
objectives of the system
• Frequency-of-Use Principle - Frequently used components be place in convenient
locations
• Functional Principle - Grouping of components according to function
• Sequence-of-Use Principle - Sequences or patterns of relationship frequently
occur in the operation of equipment or in performing some service or task

Work-Space Envelope
 Seated Work Stations
 Standing Work Stations

Work-Space: Seated
• Effects of Direction of Reach
• Presence of Work Restraints on the Work-Space

Effects of Manual Activity

• Digital Requirements
• Hand Grip Requirements
TECH 434
ANTHROPOMETRY and TASK ANALYSIS

• Distance of Movement

Effects of Apparel on Work-Space Envelope

• Apparel can restrict users movements and distances they can reach
• Survey of Truck & Bus drivers:
– Winter jacket restricts reach by approximately by 2 inches

Work-Space Envelopes for Standing Personnel

• Standing Reach, essentially a matter of body equilibrium
• Reach envelope modified by any factor that affects this
• Zone of Convenient reach - space in which an object can be reached without
undue exertion

Work-Space Envelopes
• 3 Dimensional spaces reasonably optimum for person(s) performing manual
activity
• Reasonable limits of space are determined by functional arm reach, influenced by:
direction of arm reach, task, use of restraints, clothing, backrest angle, personal
variables: age, sex, ethnic group, and handicaps

Design for the User Population

• Standard to design for the 5th percentile
• Makes it useable by 95 percent of the population
• For special populations, design of the work space requires particular and at times
individual attention

Out-of-Reach Requirements
• Not to be touched items are placed out of reach. How far?
• Depends on:
– Height of barrier
– Height of object

Clearance Requirements
• Can be stretched in some cases
• Unusual circumstances

How to Analyze Workstation/Environments

• Use of Analysis Forms
• Open
• General
• Specific