Evaluation of the physical workload of bricklayers during the execution of block walls

Authors

  • María Tamara Villagra Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul
  • Carlos Tores Formoso

Keywords:

No contiene palabras claves

Abstract

The increasing demand for improving quality and productivity in the construction industry has encouraged the development of research studies related to the improvement of working conditions, site safety and hygiene, and satisfaction of the work force. For that reason, the application of ergonomics in this sector should become more important due to the heavy and hazardous physical demand of workers that typically exists in construction sites This paper presents a method to measure the workload of bricklayers during the construction of brickwalls, based on their heart rate, monitored by an electronic equipment named Polar Sport Tester, and an estimate for the work physiological cost. The applicability of this method for the bricklaying task was evaluated in a case study. The main objective of the case study was to determine the physiological cost of the task and to examine how it was affected by the weight of ceramic blocks. Posture alignments and unfavorable positions during the tasks were also analyzed. The results indicated that the physiological cost was higher for the bricklayers while working in the first layer. The type of block used also had a significant effect on the energy cost.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

María Tamara Villagra, Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul

Research Assistant at The Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul
Rua Sarmento Leite Nº 1048 Aptº 404
Bairro Cidade Baixa
Porto Alegre – RS, CEP 90570-050
Brasil

Carlos Tores Formoso

Associate Professor at The Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul
Rua Dinarte Ribeiro Nº 212 Aptº 64
Bairro Moinhos de Vento
Porto Alegre – RS, CEP 90570 – 050
Brasil

Published

2000-08-31

How to Cite

Villagra, M. T., & Tores Formoso, C. (2000). Evaluation of the physical workload of bricklayers during the execution of block walls. Revista Ingeniería De Construcción, 15(2), 91–99. Retrieved from https://horizonteenfermeria.uc.cl/index.php/ric/article/view/17411

Issue

Section

Original Research