Anthropometric Evaluation of Proposed Improved Designs of the Classroom Desk for Benghazi Primary Schools

Abstract

Anthropometric evaluation of the classroom desk design that is currently being used in Benghazi pub- lic primary schools showed poor compatibility with students’ anthropometry. Several equations relating body dimensions to furniture dimensions were used to complete the evaluation. Anthropometric data used for the evaluation were gathered for a total of 360 students for the first three grades (children of age 6 to 10 years old) from eight schools. The existing design comprise a one size of a combined bench-table classroom desk, the preferred design solution would be the use of completely adjustable separated chairs and desks; however, only the more practically feasible solution of adjusting the size of the existing design was investi- gated in this study. Two alternative designs were proposed. One suggested the use of one size per each grade. The other suggested the use of one size for all three grades. Both alternatives considerably improved compatibility with students’ anthropometry.