Chapter Two

Introduction to Engineering Anthropometry

Let’s Start with this…
Open your mind…
 Anthrop-what?
• Anthro·pom·etry  deals with human body
shape and size.
• “Anthropos” (greek) = person, human being
• “Metron” (greek) = measure, limit, extent
• “Anthropometrics” = measurement of people
 Therefore, anthropometry is the science of measuring
the human body as to height, weight, and size of
component parts, including skin fold thickness, to study
and compare the relative proportions under
normal/abnormal conditions and for the purposes of
understanding human physical variation.
 Anthropometry is the science that measures the range of body
sizes in a population. When designing products it is important
to remember that people come in many sizes and shapes.
 Anthropometry is not only a concern about appropriate
working height, but also about how the operator can easily
access controls and input devices.
 Anthropometric data varies considerably between regional
populations. For example, Scandinavian populations tend to be
taller, while Asian and Italian populations tend to be shorter.
 Types of Anthropometry

There are two types of anthropometry measurements

 Structural anthropometry (often called “static anthropometry”)
– measurement of the body at rest including overall
measurements like total stature and weight, measurements of
links or circumferences like wrist to elbow, knee to hip,
circumference of head and measurement of specific landmarks in
reference to some other point, like the floor, e.g eye height.
Static measurements
 Functional anthropometry (often called “dynamic

anthropometry”) – measurement of the body in

motion like the reach envelope of seated work, the

movement of body parts in relationship to one

another or the space required to turn a wheelchair.

Functional dimensions
 The ten most important human Engineering dimensions

1. Height
2. Weight
3. Sitting height
4. Buttock-knee length
5. Buttock-Popliteal length
6. Breadth across elbows
7. Breadth across hips (seated)
8. Knee height
9. Popliteal height
10.Thigh clearance height
 Purpose of measuring anthropometric measurements

 Stature: This is used to determine the minimum overhead clearance

required to avoid head collision.
 Functional overhead reach: This is used to determine the maximum
height of overhead controls.
 Functional foreword reach: Items that are often used within the
workstation should be located with in the functional reach.
 Buttock-knee-depth: This defines the seat depth for chairs and
clearance under the work table
 Popliteal height: This is used to determine the range of adjustability for
adjustable chairs.
 Buttock –popliteal depth: This is used to determine the length of the
seat pad.
 Elbow height: This is an important marker for determining work height
and table height.
 Sitting eye height: Visual displays should be located below the
horizontal plane defined by the eye height.
 Sitting height: This is used to determine the vertical clearance
required for a seated work posture.
 Hip breadth: This is used to determine the breadth of chairs
and whole body access for clearance.
 Elbow-to-elbow breadth: This is used to determine the width
of seat backs and the distance between arm rests.
 Grip breadth, inside diameter: This is used to determine the
circumference of hand tools and the separation of handles.
 Design of Anthropometry

Anthropometry design motto:-

A. Let the small person reach

B. Let the large person fit.

The anthropometric motto implies that reach distances should
be designed for the small, 5th percentile individual, where as
clearance dimensions should be designed for the large, 95th
percentile individual.
 Anthropometrics Design Principles

There are three general anthropometric design principles useful in the

design of workspaces. Each Design principle is described with its
advantages and disadvantages
1. Design for Average: With the design for average principle, you
design a workspace for the average-sized person or a one size-fit all
approach.
This is a commonly used approach by designers without knowledge of
population variability and is generally not recommended.
2. Design for Extreme: The design for extreme principle is very
useful in specific circumstances when it make sense to design a
dimension at an extreme end of the distribution and, because of its
function, the entire distribution is accommodated. Here are a few
examples:
Doorways, escape apparatus, ladders, etc are designed so that
extremely tall males and extremely broad people can fit through it.
Both these dimensions exceed the 99th percentile for height and
body breadth.
3. Design for Range: Designing for the range normally means
designing an adjustable workspace. For example the standing
workstation for light assembly, an adjustable-height workstation
might be designed to accommodate elbow heights ranging from
the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. Now the
potential shoulder, neck, and low back discomfort may have
been eliminated.
 Percentile Humans

 Anthropometric dimensions for each population are ranked by

size and described as percentiles.
 It is common practice to design for the 5th percentile (5th%)
female to the 95th percentile (95th%) male.
 The 5th% female value for a particular dimension (e.g. sitting
height) usually represents the smallest measurement for design
in a population.
 Conversely, a 95th% male value may represent the largest
dimension for which one is designing.
 The 5th% to 95th% range accommodates approximately
90% of the population.
 To design for a larger portion of the population, one might
use the range from the 1th% female to the 99th% male.
 Figure below shows comparisons of percentile males and
females.
FIG: The relative sizes of different percentile humans.
 Quiz (10%)
Select Body Dimensions for Design of A Car Interior
 The anthropometric motto implies that reach distances should be
designed for the small, 5th percentile individual, whereas clearance
dimensions should be designed for the large, 95th percentile
individual.
 For example, assume that you are designing a car interior, such as in
the following Figure. Several of the measures are reach dimensions
(5th percentile) and several are fit dimensions (95th percentile).
 The Figure shows a side view of the interior of a truck cab and a
front view of a driver’s seat.
 The numbered dimensions correspond to those listed in Table 8.2.
 Select body dimensions which would be critical for determining the
cab dimension distances.
 Record the body dimension number in the space provided.
 For each cab dimension, indicate whether the 5th or 95th percentile
body dimension should be the design value.
Cab Dimension Body Design Value (5th/95th)
Dimension Reach or Fit
1. Distance from seat to roof --- ---
2. Distance from top of foot pedals to lower --- ----
edge
of the steering wheel

3. Horizontal distance from lower edge of ---- ----

steering wheel to seat back

4. Vertical distance from lower edge of the ---- -----

steering wheel to floor

5. Distance between dashboard and seat ---- -----

back
6. Distance from steering wheel rim to ---- -----
directional signal

7. Width of cab seat ---- -----

8. Seat depth ---- -----
9. Width of seat back ---- -----
 Human Measurement Editor (HME)
• HME allowed the
designer to
personalise the
manikin dimensions
and to select its work
position.
• After establishing
the manikin’s type
and dimension, the
user must choose the
work position by
correct manipulation
of the object.
 Human Measurement Editor

 Users can amend all

103 anthropometric
variables on the
manikin.

 The HME also has

the capacity to define
the mean and
standard deviation of
all anthropometry
variables.