Evaluation of Multi-axial Active Suspension to Reduce Whole Body Vibration Exposures and Associated Biomechanical Loading in Mining Heavy Equipment Vehicle Operators

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multi-axial (lateral + vertical) active suspension in reducing multi-axial WBV exposures and related biomechanical loading in the neck and low back as compared to an industry standard single-axial (vertical) passive suspension seat. In a repeated-measures laboratory study with 13 subjects, while recreating field-measure vehicle vibration on a 6-degree-of-freedom motion platform, we measured WBV [weighted average vibration: A(8) and vibration dose values: VDV(8)], net joint torque in the low back (L5/S1) and neck, muscle activity in low back (erector spinae) and neck muscle (splenius capitis). The results showed that the multi-axial active suspension seat was more effective in reducing vertical (Z-axis) WBV [A(8) and VDV(8)] as compared to the single-axial passive suspension seats (p < 0.001), while little difference between two suspension seats were found in lateral (Y) axis. The peak low back moment with respect to the sagittal (Y) axis was significantly lower on the multi-axial active suspension seat compared to the single-axial passive suspension seat (p=0.01). Despite lack of statistical significance, the low back and neck muscle activity tended to be lower on the multi-axial active suspension compared to the single-axial passive suspension. These results indicate that the multi-axial suspension may have potential to reduce biomechanical loading in the low back.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181319631197
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/21695067
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2019 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
• Authors:
  • Kia, Kiana
  • Johnson, Pete
  • Fitch, Stephanie
  • Dennerlein, Jack
  • Kim, Jay
• Publication Date: 2019-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 1034-1039
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 2169-5067
  • EISSN: 1071-1813
  • Serial URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/pro

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Active suspension systems; Biophysics; Heavy vehicles; Mining; Operators (Persons); Vibration control
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01781972
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 20 2021 2:52PM