Modelling energy expenditure of a brick layer at various postures

Abstract

Energy uti Iisatiou at V~)I"ki11 tile labour-i ntensi ve bui leiing industry is of prim

importance to contractors who match people to jobs. This paper provides an insight into

modelling energy expenditure ill a specific task, namely brick laying in various

postures. It therefore lakes previous "generic" biomechanical-energy prediction models,

and makes the case Ior apply: Ilg and adapting broader theoretical models to a specific

occupational task. This refinement of established models provides a meaningful and

valuable contribution to interpreting and predicting energy expenditure during a defined

occupational task - brick laying. Results obtained show that in the standing position,

fewer muscles are brought into action. For the silting position, the muscles are more

relaxed, relieving the bricklayer of stress, but the center of gravity is still lower than the

standing position. III the case 0" squatting, there is a lot of strain in the body by

considering the muscles or the arms, legs, and back resulting in more energy released ill

the body. The bending position has repeated movement of the muscles at the back and

the center of gravity varies. Thus, this research on energy expenditure in brick layers

may be of interest to ergonomists and those interested in biornechanical-cnergy

modelling.