ANTHROPOMETRY
P.G.Satpute
AD(IH)
Introduction
• The term Anthropometry was
introduced after second world war .
• Anthropometry is a greek word were
Anthro means man & metry means
measurement.
• The belgian mathematician, Quetelet
in 1870 introduced the term
Anthropometry.
ANTHROPOMETRY
Study on human body dimensions-were
Height, length, breadth, depth, strength, speed and range of
motions are mainly concerned.
Anthropometry
• Anthropometry is a branch of ergonomics which
plays a major role in designing of simplest tool
to most complex tool.
• Simplest tool includes hand grip control ,height
of table,chairs etc where Complex design
includes design of work place in cockpit of
military aircraft in which pilot has to observe &
monitors numbers of control after correct
interpretation.
TYPES OF ANTHROPOMETRY
• Static Anthropometry
• Dynamic Anthropometry
WORKSTATION DESIGN
• Effective man-machine coordination depends on proper
design of the work station.
• Improper workstation produces awkward working posture.
• Continuous working on awkward posture develops
musculoskeletal disorders and severe health problems.
• Workstation should be designed according to human body
dimensions to fit the man to his work place.
REFERENCE
PLANES
Anthropometry
Reference
ANTHROPOMETRY
Static Anthropometry
Taken when human body is in rigid standardized
body positions.
* Sitting position
* Standing position
ANTHROPOMETRY
KIT FOR THE
BODY DIMENSION
MEASUREMENTS
CALLIPER FOR BONE MEASUREMENTS
FOLDING
CALLIPER FOR
THE
MEASUREMENT
OF
WIDTH OF
DIFFERENT
BODY PARTS
SKIN FOLD CALLIPER USED FOR
THE MEASUREMENT OF BODY FAT
ANTHROPOMETRY
Dynamic Anthropometry
Taken when human body is in motion.
* Strength
* Speed
* Range of motions.
HANDGRIP DYNAMOMETER
FOR THE
MEASUREMENT OF HAND
MUSCLE STRENGTH
Pinch Grip Dynamometer
for measurement of pinch
strength.
BACK STRENGTH
DYNAMOMETER FOR
THE MEASUREMENT
OF BACK STRENGTH
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
STANDING
Height: The Vertical distance from the
floor to the top of the head; subject stands
erect, looking straight ahead.
Application: Designing of doors,
passageways, personal protective equipment,
etc.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
STANDING
Eye height: Vertical distance from the floor to
the outer corner (external cantus) of the eye,
subject standing erect and looking straight
ahead.
Application: Workspace Layout; Equipment
design: for optimum vision range of workspace,
design of control panel.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
STANDING
Waist height: The vertical distance from the standing
surface to the waist landmark. The subject stands
erect and looks straight ahead.
Application: Sizing of clothing and PPE; workspace
layout; equipment design, height of work
surface for standing operation.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Height: The vertical distance from the sitting
surface to the top of the head. The subject sits
erect, looking straight ahead, with upper arms
vertical at sides, forearm extended horizontally and
knees and ankles right angles.
Application: Distance between the seat
surface and any overhead structure
or object of the seated operator.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Eye height: The vertical distance from the
sitting surface to the outer corner (external
cantus) of the eye. The subject sits erect and
looks straight ahead, with upper arms vertical
at sides, forearm extended horizontally and
knees and ankles forming right angles.
Application: Workspace layout; control
panel.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Knee height: The vertical distance from
the floor to the uppermost point on the knee.
The subject sits erect with knees and ankles
at right angles.
Application: Distance between the floor,
footrest or foot control and the
underside of a table etc.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Popliteal height (seat height): Vertical distance from
floor to underside of the thigh just behind the knee;
subject sitting erect with knees and ankles at right angles
and with underside of lower thigh and back of knees
clearly touching the seating surface.
Application: Workspace layout,
seat height design.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Lumber height: Vertical distance from seat
surface to maximum inward deflection of the
vertebral column; subject sitting erect with upper
arms vertical at sides and forearms extended
horizontally.
Application: Back support for a
seated operator.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Elbow height:The vertical distance from the sitting
surface to the bottom of the elbow. The subject sits
erect with his upper arms hanging relaxed and forearm
at right angle to upper arm.
Application: Design of armrest
of a chair.
STATIC ANTHROPOMETRY
SITTING
Thigh clearance: The vertical distance from the
sitting surface to the highest point on the thigh. The
subject sits erect with knees and ankles at right angles.
Application: Distance between the seat surface and
the underside of a worktable,
steering wheel etc.
USE OF PERCENTILE DATA
PERCENTILE
“Percentiles are the statistical values of a
distribution of variables transferred into a
hundred scale”
Or
If 100 men are lined up from least to greatest in
any respect, percentiles are values
corresponding to each man
USE OF PERCENTILE DATA
PERCENTILE
p=m+k*S
p = percentile
m = mean
k = factor
S = Std deviation
USE OF PERCENTILE DATA
Percentile Factor k
5th -1.64
25th -0.67
50th 0
75th 0.67
95th 1.64
PERCENTILE SELECTION FOR DESIGN
• For placement of any dangerous moving part in a machine,
that is not to be touched, 95th percentile of the forward arm
reach value should be considered
• If a handle or switch is required to be operated only a few
times, it can be placed at a distance of 75th percentile of the
forward arm reach, so that it should not create any obstacle
to central work attention and it can be operated when
required.
PERCENTILE SELECTION FOR DESIGN
• If anything is required to be operated smoothly, it
should be placed within 5th percentile of arm reach.
• The mean value should not always be considered in
design process because the design requires to
accommodate larger population from 5th to 95th
percentiles.
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
• Avoid awkward position
Work to be balanced and
symmetrical
• A minimum body mass should
be used whenever possible.
• Finger controls should be used
since they have a lower mass
than the hands.
• Hands have a lower mass than
the arms.
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
Force applications
• Work should be assigned to body
members according to their
strength and ability
• Control layout should never require
that a single body member do all
the work.
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
• 90 / 90 rule for
elbow and knee
• Lumber support
• Frankfort line 200
below horizon
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
Preferred heights of horizontal work surface
• General purpose: 50th percentile of standing
elbow height.
• Writing: Elbow height + 100 mm
• Minute attention: Elbow height + 200 mm
• Heavy material handling: Elbow height – 200mm
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
Sit – Stand posture
If the work demands both sitting and
standing posture, sit-stand workstation
Should be designed.
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
BACK REST
Condition Back rest type
Hip position 900 or less No back rest required
Activity that demand a hip
angle 900 – 1050 (Typing, dining etc.) Lumber support
General purpose sitting (1050 – 1200) Thoracic support
(75th percentile of
shoulder height)
KEY FACTORS IN WORKSTATION LAYOUT
BACK REST
Condition Back rest type
Back angle more than 1300 Back rest up to the head
(Excess load on neck muscles (occipital level, 75th %ile)
to keep head upright). Concave tip to fit with the
shape of the head while
tilting it back.
GUIDELINES FOR WORKSPACE DESIGN
Human strength: Facilitate optimum strength by object location and
orientation.
Human speed: Place items so that they can be reached and
manipulated quickly.
Human effort: Arrange work so that it can be performed with
less effort.
Human accuracy: Select and position objects so that they can be
manipulated and seen easily.
GUIDELINES FOR WORKSPACE DESIGN
Importance: Place most important items in most accessible
locations.
Frequency of use: Place most frequently used items in most
accessible locations.
Function: Group items with similar functions together.
Sequence of use: Lay out items, which are commonly used in
sequence.
thank you
