Design Criteria for Characterizing Individuals in the Extreme Upper and Lower Body Size Ranges.

摘要

Designers commonly attempt to represent a range of human body sizes by using human manikins, three-dimensional forms, computer simulations, and various other models. These analogues are developed from a limited number of body size groupings, often utilizing 5th, 50th, or 95th percentile values. There are serious limitations to this percentile approach, exemplified by the fact that at the ends of the distribution, percentile values are not additive. Focusing on the ends of the distribution, where limitations are most intense, this report pinpoints and illustrates problems associated with the use of percentile values, and describes two alternative approaches: subgroup and regression values. Either of these altneratives offers significant improvement over the percentile approach and can be used to characterize any portion of the body size distribution. Regression equations for predicting dimensions from weight and stature and from weight and sitting height are provided to aid designers in computing dimensional body size data needed for cockpit and other work station layouts. (Author)