SD 142 Solution
Anthropometry
As an ergonomist for a chair design company, you have been asked to design an adjustable office chair in accordance with North American anthropometric data. Data tables for this information are included at the end of the exam. Your design should accommodate people from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. (Include your process, a correct answer is only worth part marks.)
4 a) Seat height range
1 mark - Use popliteal height.
1 mark - From table, 5th p.c. female = 351 mm
1 mark - From table, 95th p.c. male = 476 mm
1 mark The range for seat height is 351mm-476 mm.
A solution without units is worth no marks.
2 b) Seat width
Seat width is not an adjustable factor. In this case you must use the maximum design value which is the 95th percentile male. Giving a range on this question is an engineering error and you will receive no marks for such a solution.
From tables, take the hip breadth measure for the 95th pc male = 412 mm.
The seat width should be 412mm.
4 c) Arm rest height range. (Give the range above seat height).
Pay attention that this is above the seat.
The measure you need is sitting elbow height.
From tables, for 5th p.c. female, 176mm.
From tables, for the 95th p.c. male, 274mm.
The arm rest height range should be 176mm to 274 mm above seat height.