International Journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development(IJMPERD) ISSN 2249-6890 Vol.

3, Issue 1, Mar 2013, 79-84 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

ERGONOMICALLY DESIGN SITTING ARRANGEMENT FOR SCHOOL CHILDRENUSING ANTHROPOMETRICS

GIRISH P. DESHMUKH & C. R. PATIL Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amravati University, PRM Institute of Technology and Research Badnera (Amravati), India

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to compare anthropometric data of school children with the dimension of furniture in the school and determine whether this type of furniture is well-designed and promotes good sitting posture at school by taking into account the dimensions of the children Combinational equations defined the acceptable furniture dimensions according to anthropometrics and match percentages were computed, according to either the existing situation where children use the size assigned for their grade or assuming that they could use the most appropriate of the sizes available..

KEYWORDS: Anthropometrics, Ergonomics, Static, Dynamic Anthropometrics, Postures INTRODUCTION

The speed of development, rapid introduction of highly sophisticated computers, communication systems and the highly automated manufacturing systems are resulting in the dramatic changes in the way people work and use technology are all witness to this phenomenon. The philosophy of ergonomics operates on the premise Better design for people This document is a template. If the user is not comfortable with the design of an article the individual product or a combination of relevant products of a system or the layout patters of these within a legitimate space obtained through various innovations.Ergonomics is the science which uses Anthropometric data and designs the workstation which is comfortable and efficient to work at Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. Ergonomics is concerned with the fit between people and their work. Anthropometric measures were collected with children sitting on a specially designed anthropometric chair this

design project stimulates a class in normal distribution situation. School desk and chair have to undertake students physical and psychological need. A class included different body figure range students. Students require different type of desk and chair to fit their body figure.

ANTHROPOMETRY
The anatomy of human being that deals with the dimensions of human bodies is called Anthropometry Anthropometric measures can be translated into seat design measures by using the anthropometric design motto. Let the person reach. Let the large person fit. Types of Anthropometric Data Structural anthropometric data Functional anthropometric data Newtonian anthropometric data

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Anthropometric Measurement at Standing and Sitting Postures

Figure 1: Measurement Taken at Standing Posture

Figure 2: Measurement Taken at Sitting Posture

ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is defined as the science related to man and his work, embodying the anatomic, physiologic, and mechanical principles affecting the efficient use of human energy. Ergonomics draws on many disciplines in its study of humans and their environments, including anthropometrics, biomechanics, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, industrial design, physiology and psychology. Safe lifting techniques, proper posture, appropriate seating position, and adaptive equipment are only a few of the many examples of ergonomics in the workplace.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
The purpose of this study was to compare students dimensions to the dimension of school furniture, in primary school, and determine whether this type of furniture is well-designed and promotes good sitting posture at school by taking into account the dimensions of the . design project stimulates a class in normal distribution situation. School desk and chair have to undertake students physical and psychological need. A class included different body figure range students. Students require different type of desk and chair to fit their body figure.

Figure 3: Ideal Ergonomic Dimensions for School Students

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MEASURING PROCEDURES
Direct Methods Direct body measuring instruments mostly used are. 1) A common set of anthropometric instruments. 2) Anthropometric board with grid marks. Indirect Methods Indirect measurements may betake through photographic methods, using still photography and filming the

whole body and/or parts from different angles against a marked grid background, or superimposition of a grid on the photographed human body. To guard against parallax errors-problems where the actual dimensions may change-much care must be taken. Some other special measuring devices such as adjustable foot measuring instruments, box and blocks, marked conical devices for measuring the grip diameter and inner circumferences. All measurements under 50cm were required to an accuracy of 0.5cm.all other measurements to 0.1cm.The measuring devices were checked for accuracy from time to time. Subjects were taken in both the sitting and standing position initially weight of the body of subject with minimum clothes and without shoes was taken. In standing position the subject stands in an erect balanced posture looking in front with head and chest up, hands hanging in their normal position with palm comfortably stretched and legs straight with heels almost together in standing position. In Standing Positions the Readings are 1. Knee height 2. Knuckle height 3. Elbow height 4. Shoulder height 5. Stature 6. Functional overhead reach 7. Eye level height 8. Shoulder breathe 9. Chest depth. In sitting posture the subject should sit on a seat at 1. 2. 3. The height of popliteal level, the thigh can rest flat on The seat surface with a knee angle at 90 degree and Feet rested flat on the floor.

In Sitting Positions the Readings are 1 2. Functional forward reach Buttock knee depth. 6. 7. Sitting eye height Sitting height

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3. 4. 5.

Seat height Thigh clearance Sitting elbow height

8. 9. 10.

Hip breath Elbow to elbow breath Sitting shoulder height

There are following points to be considered: 1. 2. 3. Data collection requires standardization of methods Body dimension must follow standard definitions Clearly identifiable body landmarks and fixed points in space are usually used to define the various measurements.

OBSERVATIONS
Various measurements that are obtained in the study are shown in tables below: (seat height 42cm) Table 1: Anthropometric data of Std. 5

CALCULATIONS

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The shaded portion in the graph indicates that the seat is suitable for the given range. (Seat height is 42cm) In a normal distribution, the 50th percentile value is equivalent to the mean of the distribution.

Figure 4: Direct Measurement

Figure 5: Indirect Measurement

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CONCLUSIONS
Anthropometric data have revealed differences amongst e group and geographical regions. These differences should be taken into account while designing the furniture for school in body proportions, weight and stature. it indicates the influence of ethnic and geographical factors on body dimensions. And it also shows that the most efficient way of improving ergonomics in design area is during the early phase of product design.

REFERENCES
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Bendix, T.: Seated trunk posture at various seat inclinations, seat heights and table height .Human Factors 26(6), 695703 (1984)

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Broberg, Ole. Integrating ergonomics into the product development process. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 19, 317327 (199Bridger, R.S., Eisenhart-Rothe, C.V., Henneberg, M.: Effects of seat slope and hip flexion on spinal angles in sitting. Human Factors 31(6), 679688 (1989)

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Corlett, E.N., Bishop, R.P.: A technique for assessing postural discomfort. Ergonomics 19,

175182 (1976)

DeWall, M., Vanriel, M., Snijders, C.J.: The effect of sitting posture of a desk with a 10% inclination for reading and writing. Ergonomics 34(6), 575584 (1991)

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Dutra, A.R.A., Franco, E.D.M.: Evaluation of comfort for a study room based on Anthropometric data. In: Proceedings of the 4th Pan Pacific Conference on Occupational Ergonomics, pp. 388391 (1996)

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Evans, W.A., Courtney, A.J., Fok, K.F.: The design of school furniture for Hong Kong school children. Applied Ergonomics 19(1), 122134 (1988)