Understanding the synthesis of anthropometric diversity and workspace dimensions in ergonomic design of light armored vehicle

Abstract

Background and objective To ensure effective carrying, scouting, patrolling, and large‐scale combat operations, the workspace design of light armored vehicles (LAVs) should be compatible with anthropometry and range of motion (ROM) measurements of the soldiers. This study examines the extent of mismatch between the anthropometric dimensions of the Ethiopian army and existing workspace dimensions of the LAV. Predictive equations have been formulated for design dimensions considering anthropometry and ROM of the target population to avoid possible incompatibility. Method The assessment was conducted on three existing Ethiopian LAVs, and mathematical equations were framed to predict the vehicular design dimensions. Anthropometric and ROM data of Ethiopian soldiers (n = 310) from an earlier reported survey by the authors were utilized. The accommodation capacity of existing LAVs was evaluated using a one‐way or two‐way (mis)match criterion, based on individual workspace characteristics. Along with the predicted dimensions, key vehicular dimensions were compared with other globally accepted vehicular standard dimensions. Results Twenty‐two basic design dimensions that comply with ergonomics principles were proposed. A high mismatch (in terms of the accommodating capacities of the three LAVs) between the existing and predicted design dimensions indicates the incompatibility of the existing design dimensions in their accommodation of most Ethiopian army personnel. The predicted dimensions comply with different global vehicular standards, thus validating the results. Conclusion The research findings indicate that the incompatibilities between vehicular space dimensions and army personnel's anthropometry must be addressed to evade the adverse consequences on occupational health. The LAVs should be redesigned according to the anthropometry and ROM dimensions of Ethiopian soldiers.

Effect of Hull Obliquity on Crew Protection, Mass and Space Occupancy of Light Armoured Vehicle

“…In a prior study, anthropometric dimensions of 310 Ethiopian armed personnel (250 males and 60 females) 25 were physically measured. Later, they used those anthropometric dimensions to predict the relevant vehicular workspace 26 . The same anthropometric measurements of Ethiopian armed personnel were used in this study.…”

“…Wibneh 26 , et al (c) Mass of presented geometries (M i ) (d) Mass ratio of oblique to non-oblique armour plate (R Mi ) (e) The energy required for penetration (E i ) (f) Ratio of penetration resistance for the oblique to the nonoblique hull (R Ei ), and (g) Penetration resistance to mass ratio (R i ), were established.…”

Estimation of Anthropometric Measurements Using Optimized Machine Learning Models with Bayesian Algorithm

“…They specified that support vector machine presented the highest accuracy in all ratios of missing data [20]. Wibneh et al (2021) handled the synthesis of anthropometric diversity and workspace dimensions in ergonomic design of light armored vehicle [21]. Wang et al (2021) introduced Generalized Regression Neural Network to predict 76 detailed body measurements from seven easily measured body features.…”