Cornell University Ergonomics Web

DESIGN & ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

DEA 3510 HUMAN FACTORS: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics and Biomechanics

Fall 2018

Instructor: Alan Hedge, 2415 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall,
Phone: 607-255-1957; Email: ah29@cornell.edu;
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00pm - 1:00pm or by appointment

T.A.: Kati Peditto, 4110 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall,
Phone: 410-271-7485
Email: ksp66@cornell.edu
Office Hours: By appointment in DEA  grad office 4110 MVR


Credit: 3 units
Class Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:25 - 2:40 pm:
Room: MVR G73

Course Description
This course provides an intermediate level review of the principles of human factors/ergonomics. The course covers human information processing; man-machine systems; information design; display and control design; static and dynamic anthropometrics; fundamentals of biomechanics; musculoskeletal injuries, including cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome; hand tool design; back injuries; vibration; shift work, biological rhythms; and workload assessment. Emphasis is placed on ergonomic methods and techniques to assess the design of modern work environments.

Course Goals
This course aims to familiarize students with the basic ergonomics information necessary for analyzing and redesigning modern work conditions. Three primary learning objectives are:

  1. To understand the relevance of human information processing, physiological and person-technology models for the ergonomic design of products and systems.
  2. To understand the strengths of people and also the limitations on human physical and mental performance.
  3. To understand the wide range of information (anatomical, physiological, anthropometric, biomechanic, cognitive) necessary for an ergonomic assessment of products and systems.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course:

  1. Students will be able to define key concepts and be familiar with terminology in human information processing, physiological and person-technology models for ergonomic design.
  2. Students will be able to conduct and report on an ergonomic analysis of a product or system and undertake a comparative analysis.
  3. Students will be able to apply critical skills and knowledge to improve the ergonomic design of a product or system and report on this.

Course Format
The course meets twice each week for a total of three hours. This time is used for a combination of lecture, practical exercise, software, video, and discussion. Course performance is assessed using project homeworks, a midterm and a final examination.
Class Format: Combination of lecture, practical exercises, software, video, and discussion
Grading Scheme: 50% Examinations (2 non-cumulative exams: Prelim.1 -25%, Final exam - 25%):
50% Homework (three assignments - HW1 - 10%, HW2 - 20%, HW3 - 20% - see table at page bottom)

Required Texts (choose 1 or more):

1) Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S.J. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd Edition, CRC Press.
(Note: This book but gives a foundation to the discipline and it is also a required text for DEA3510).

2) Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Ergonomics, 4th ed. CRC Press, New York and London.
(Note: This is more recent book that is less comprehensive on the foundations of the discipline but also more expansive. Buying a second-hand copy or one from a bookstore such as from Amazon may be the least expensive way to obtain this book. NOTE: The book is very 'English'. This book is also a required text for DEA3510).

3) Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed., McGraw-Hill, NY.
(Note: This is an old book but still gives the best foundation to the discipline and is used for the professional certifying examination. Buying a second-hand copy or one from a bookstore such as from Amazon may be the least expensive way to obtain this book. NOTE: You do need the 7th Edition and not an earlier edition. This book is also a required text for DEA3510).

Course Slides
View the course slides handouts


Fall 2018

Date COURSE CONTENT

1. 8/23  Course overview: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Biomechanics and Design -1
 Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 1, pp. 1-15.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 1, pp. 1-29.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 1, pp. 3-13.


2. 8/28   Course overview: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Biomechanics and Design -2
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 1, pp. 16-32.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S.(2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 1, pp. 1-29.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 1, pp. 3-13.

3.  8/30   Human Factors & Ergonomics - Systems Thinking - 1
 Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 1, pp. 32-36.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapters 15 &16, pp. 566-649.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 1, pp. 13-21. Chapter 2, pp. 23-42.

4.  9/4   Human Factors & Ergonomics - Systems Thinking - 2
 Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 11, pp. 423-455.
 Reading:Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapters 15 &16, pp. 566-649.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 1, pp. 13-21. Chapter 2, pp. 23-42.

Download Homework 1

5. 9/6  Human Beings as Information Processors 1 - Sensory systems - 1
 Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 2 pp. 59-74.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 12, pp. 434-474.
Reading:Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 47-65.

6.  9/11 Human Beings as Information Processors 1 - Sensory systems - 2
Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 2 pp. 59-74.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 12, pp. 434-474.
Reading:Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 47-65.

7. 9/13 Human Beings as Information Processors 2 - Perceptual systems
Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 2 pp. 59-74.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S.(2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 12, pp. 434-474.
Reading:Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 47-65.

8. 9/18  Human Beings as Information Processors 3 - Memory systems
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 12, pp. 434-474.
Reading:Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 65-85.

9. 9/20 Human Beings as Information Processors 4 - Attention, decision making systems
Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 2 pp. 59-74. Chap. 15, pp. 553-557.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 12, pp. 434-474..
Reading:Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 65-85.

11. 9/25 Ergonomic Display Design 1 - Visual Display design - Static information, warnings
Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 12 pp. 466-477.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 475-514.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 4, pp.91-117.

12. 9/27 Ergonomic Display Design 2 - Visual Displays - Visual codes, symbols & graphics
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 12 pp. 477-482.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 475-514.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 4, pp.117-128.

13. 10/2 Ergonomic Display Design 3 - Display design - Dynamic information
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 5, pp.132-158.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 475-514.

Download Homework 2

14. 10/4 Preliminary I - view the Practice Exam

 FALL RECESS ( 10/6-10/10)

15. 10/11 Ergonomic Display Design 4 - Display design - Auditory, olfactory, tactual
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 475-514.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 6, pp.160-192.

16. 10/16 Ergonomic Control Design  - Control design, keyboard design
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 11 pp. 423-444.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 475-514.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 11, pp.334-379.

17. 10/18 Ergonomic Design 7 - Display/Control relationships; practical exercise
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 12 pp. 458-461.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2008). Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd ed. CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 13, pp. 538-549.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 10, pp.301-331.

18. 10/23 Anthropometrics 1 - statistical principles, basic dimensions, practical data collection, Human diversity; Using and Combining anthropometric data
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 85-89.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 3, pp. 63-105.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp.415-420. Chapter 13, pp. 421-423.

19. 10/25 Anthropometrics 2 - Dynamic (Functional) Anthropometry - reach, clearance, posture, workspaces, workstation design
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 92-92.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2008). Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd ed. CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 3, pp. 96-104. Chapter 4, pp. 128-140.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp. 424-437, 447-452. Chapter 14, pp. 456-482.

20.10/30 Biomechanics 1 - Structure and function of musculoskeletal systems - tendons, ligaments, fascia, bone
 Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 90-106.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 3, pp. 63-105.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-229.

21. 11/1 Biomechanics 2 - Structure and function of musculoskeletal systems - muscles, joints, basic biomechanics
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed.CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 90-106.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 2, pp. 30-62.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-229.

22. 11/6 Biomechanics 3 - Mechanical work-capacity evaluation, joint motion, muscle activity, strength
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 5 pp. 200-208.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 9, pp. 273-276.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2008). Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd ed. CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 7, pp. 264-274, 279-291.

Download Homework 3

22A.  Biomechanics 4 - Biomechanical analysis methods - download course notes - read independently

23. 11/8 Biomechanics 5 - Lifting and back stress
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 5 pp. 211-216.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-231.
 Reading:Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 6, pp. 201-242.

24. 11/13 Biomechanics 6 - Ergonomic guidelines for sitting
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 98-102.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp. 437 - 447.
 Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 4, pp. 106-152.

26. 11/15 Ergonomic Tool Design  - Hand held products
Reading:Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 3 pp. 108-122.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 9, pp. 276-298.

24. 11/20 Biomechanics 7 - Manual materials handling limits  - grasping, pushing, pulling, carrying
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 254-269.

 THANKSGIVING 11/21 - 11/26

25. 11/27 Biomechanics 8 - Manual materials handling limits; - Musculoskeletal Disorders, motor skills
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 12, pp. 383-395, 399-402.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 6, pp. 201-242.

27. 11/29 Work design - Work physiology - biological rhythms.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 245-247.

28. 12/4 Human Vibration
Reading: Lehto, M.R. & Landry, S. (2013) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers 2nd ed. CRC Press Chapter 4 pp. 182-183.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 19, pp. 624-640.
Reading: Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4th ed., CRC Press, New York and London. Chapter 11, pp. 389-432.

FINAL EXAM - Fri, Dec 14 - 9:00 am - Room - 200 Savage Hall

View the Practice Exam (note, the actual exam may be different in form and content)

 

HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
The due dates for homework will be strictly adhered to unless individual circumstances are truly exceptional. Details of each homework will be provided in class.

HW Number

  Topic

Date set

 Date due

 %

 1

 Information display

8/30

9/27

10%

 2

 Display-control Mapping (stove layout)

10/2 

10/30

20% 

 3

 Ergonomic design of products

11/1

11/27

20%


Course notes
Slideshow text notes

 

Course Questions
Contact Alan Hedge if you have any questions or comments on the course notes or any other aspect of the course.

Academic Integrity
View the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity