Lab # Two : Anthropometry September 11, 2015Lab # 2: Anthropometry1.

April 19, 2023Lab # 2: Anthropometry1

Objective

04/19/23Lab 2 : Anthropometry2

To understand the concept of Anthropometry.

To gain practical experience in collecting and analysis anthropometric data.

To know how to design Anthropometric products

Introduction


Introduction (Cont.)


To assess the fit between a person and their work, ergonomists consider

The job being done and the demands on the worker.

The equipment used (its size, shape, and how appropriate it is for the task).

The information used (how it is presented, accessed, and changed).

Ergonomics draws on many disciplines in its study of humans and their environments, including anthropometry, biomechanics, physiology, and psychology.

Anthropometry


Anthropometry


The science of designing suitable outcomes

for the maximum envelope of people with

taking into account the distribution of

relevant body measurements.

The science of design optimization

Anthropometry


Anthropometry is the science of measurement and study of the human body and its parts and capacities.

Is the branch of ergonomics that deals with body shape and size.

The science of measuring the human body in order to ascertain the average dimensions of the human form at different ages, and in different divisions of race, class etc.

Anthropometry


Anthropometry Step by Step


1. Decide who you are designing for (user

population).

2. Decide which body measurements are

relevant

3. Decide whether you are designing for the

'average‘, “extremes”, or for

Adjustable Range

4. Think about other human factors

Step # 1: User Population (Who?)


First of all you need to answer the 1st question: “Who are the users???”

to design an office chair, you would need to consider dimensions for adults of working age and not those for children or the elderly.

To design a product for the home, such as a kettle, your user group would include everyone except young children (hopefully!).

To design alarm system, user group would include adults, children, and wheelchair users, etc

Step # 2: Body Measurements (For What?)


You need to know which parts of the body are relevant to your design.

For example, if you were designing a mobile phone, you would need to consider the width and length of the hand, the size of the fingers, as well as grip diameter.

Wouldn't be too interested in the height or weight of the user (although the weight of the phone might be important! Why????)

Step # 3: Average or Extreme?


Nobody is 'average' in all body dimensions. Someone might be say, of average height but have a longer than average hand length.

The variation in the size and shape of people also tells us that if you design to suit yourself, it will only be suitable for people who are the same size and shape as you, and you might 'design out' everyone else!

Measurements Distribution


According to the factors mentioned above, the measurement of the humans’ body dimensions are inherently varied.

There is no exemplary (ideal) design, why??

All we can do is to strike the balance by designing for optimum envelope of people ( optimum design).

Design for (50th percentile) Design for extremes

Design for adjustable range

Percentiles (Cont.)


Designing a door height


For example, if we were designing a doorway using the height, shoulder width, hip width etc., of an average person, then half the people using the doorway would be taller than the average, and half would be wider.

Since the tallest people are not necessarily the widest, more than half the users would have to bend down or turn sideways to get through the doorway.

Therefore, in this case we would need to design using dimensions of the widest and tallest people to ensure that everyone could walk through normally. (Extremes)

Designing a door height (Cont.)


Usually, you will find that if you pick the right percentile, 95% of people will be able to use your design.

For example, if you were choosing a door height, you would choose the dimension of people's height (often called 'stature' in anthropometry tables) and pick the 95th percentile value – in other words, you would design for the taller people. You wouldn't need to worry about the average height people, or the 5th percentile ones – they would be able to fit through the door anyway

Designing an Airplane Cockpit


At the other end of the scale, if you were designing an airplane cockpit, and needed to make sure everyone could reach a particular control.

You would choose 5th percentile arm length – because the people with the short arms are the ones who are most challenging to design for. If they could reach the control, everyone else (with longer arms) would be able to.


Deciding whether to use the 5th, 50th or 95th percentile value depends on what you are designing and who you are designing it for.

Step # 4: Other Human Factors (+, -)


You may need to add corrections for clothing. Have you allowed for shoe heights? You generally add 20mm for fairly flat shoes, and more if you think users will be wearing high heels. If your product is to be used somewhere cold, can it still be used if someone is wearing gloves or other bulky clothing?

Body Measurements


Static Dimensions Taken when the body is fixed (static) position. Skeletal dimensions (between the center of joints, such

as between elbow and the wrist) or of contour dimensions and surface dimensions such as head circumference.

Dynamic Dimensions Taken under conditions in which the body is engaged

some physical activity. In most physical activities (where one is operating

steering wheel, assembling a mousetrap, or reaching across the table for the salt).

Body Mass Index (BMI)


It is a statistical measurement which compares a person's weight and height.

It does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on how tall a person is.

Body Mass Index (Cont.)


It is easy in measurement and calculation, so it is the most widely used diagnostic tool to identify weight problem within a population including:

Underweight. Overweight. Obesity.

BMI Formula


Body mass index is defined as the individual's body weight divided by the square of his height.

BMI Interpretation

CategoryBMI range - kg/m2

Severely underweight

less than 16.5

Underweightfrom 16.5 to 18.5

Normalfrom 18.5 to 25

Overweightfrom 25 to 30

Obese Class Ifrom 30 to 35

Obese Class IIfrom 35 to 40

Obese Class IIIover 40


Body Dimensions (Static)


Symbol

Expression

AStature

BElbow Height

C Hip Height

DKnuckle Height

EChest/Bust Depth

Body Dimensions (Dynamic)


Symbol

Expression

FSitting Height

GSitting Elbow Height

HShoulder-Elbow Length

IShoulder-Grip Length

JElbow-Fingertip Length

KHand Length

LButtock-Knee Length

MButtock-Popliteal Length

NPopliteal Height

OKnee Height

PFoot Length

Body Dimensions


Symbol

Expression

QShoulder Breadth

RHip Breadth

Lab # Two : Anthropometry September 11, 2015Lab # 2: Anthropometry1.

Documents

human body

anthropometry step

mental slide

anthropometry8 slide

anthropometry1 slide

body dimensions

body shape

anthropometry7 anthropometry