Ergonomic Optimization of University Dormitory Furniture: A Digital Human Modeling Approach Using Jack Software

Yihan Wei and Yushu Chen ()
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Yihan Wei: College of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Yushu Chen: College of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: University dormitories are vital spaces for students’ daily lives and informal learning, and require desks and chairs of utmost comfort. This study evaluates the desks and chairs at F University using Jack 8.01 software to optimize ergonomic design. By simulating three common sitting postures, this research identifies key issues, such as posture-related strain and limited reachability, particularly for female users. The optimized design introduces adjustable desk height (440~840 mm), chair height (250~520 mm), and tilt angle (0~60°), resulting in a 14.3% and 51.9% improvement in hip and knee joint comfort for the 5th percentile of female users, respectively, and effectively avoids the health risks caused by poor sitting posture. At the same time, based on the universal design concept, the design considerations for non-normative people are introduced. From the perspective of environmental sustainability, fewer wood-based panels used in the improved desk can reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint by approximately 135 kg CO 2 e. These enhancements highlight the critical role of digital human modeling (DHM) in developing ergonomic, “people-centered” furniture that promotes healthier and more effective learning environments, as well as the sustainable development of educational facilities. Future work will validate these findings in real-world settings and explore their applications across educational and professional spaces.

Keywords: ergonomics; dormitory furniture; sitting posture; digital human modeling; Jack software (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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