Yuan, L (2006) Biomechanical analysis of the physical loads on the low back and shoulder during drywall installation. ScD thesis, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.
Abstract
This research provided a biomechanical analysis of the physical loads on the low back and shoulder during drywall installation. Both the ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention evaluation were conducted integrating the methods of work-sampling based observation, computer-aided simulation, biomechanical models of the low back and the shoulder, and a one-compartment challenge-recovery model. In the first study, the Monte-Carlo simulation technique was used to generate input information for the biomechanical models from PATH (Posture, Activities, Tools, and Handling) observation data during a simulated 8-hour workday. We then estimated the required contraction forces of five paired trunk muscles; joint resultant forces of disc compression, lateral shear, and anterior-posterior shear at L4/L5; contraction forces of nineteen major shoulder muscles and one ligament; and resultant forces at the glenohumeral and sternoclavicular joints using the double linear optimization program and the nonlinear optimization program in MATLAB, respectively. The second study examined trunk and shoulder muscle fatigue by introducing the concept of muscle force production capacity. The prevalences of muscle fatigue and consecutive fatigue periods were computed to illustrate the influence of muscle fatigue on physical capacity during drywall installation, where it was found that trunk muscles were more vulnerable to fatigue than shoulder muscles. The third study evaluated the relative efficacy of three simulated ergonomic interventions for drywall installation. By comparing muscle contraction forces, joint resultant forces, and muscle fatigue parameters obtained from the integrated methods between post- and pre-interventions, it was determined that all of the proposed interventions, including lifting assistance, two-person team work, and optimal work-rest schedule, contributed to the reduction of ergonomic hazards for drywall installers. The combination of lifting assistance and optimal work-rest schedule was the most efficacious intervention. The research initiates a cost-effective protocol for physical ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention effectiveness evaluation, which can be applied to the construction industry and other non-routine work sectors where it is either infeasible or too labor/time intensive to explore direct measurement technology.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Buchholz, B |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | fatigue; hazards; measurement; optimization; simulation |
| Index terms: | fatigue, routine, compression, exposure, linear optimization, lifting, program, recovery, construction industry, computer aided simulation, sampling, installer, effectiveness |
| Subjects: | operations management, practitioner, algorithms, modelling and simulation, data collection methods, sociology, health conditions and diseases, occupational health and safety management, industry analysis, performance management, public and environmental health, software systems, material properties and characteristics |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Health and Safety, Project Management, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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