A study on student’s comfort level in the lecture theatre in TARUC

Sim, Kiang Sia (2018) A study on student’s comfort level in the lecture theatre in TARUC. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

This study is to identify student’s comfort level in the lecture theatre of TARUC. TARUC students have average of 3 to 4 hours of lecture daily and they required to use the seat provided in the lecture theatre. There are 120 students involved for the subjective evaluation and anthropometric measurement. Period of lecture, vibration and noise are the first three highest rated factors of causing discomfort to the student. Whole body vibration is considered and vibration analysis is done according to ISO 2631 for comfort level calculation and ISO 8041 the method of measuring vibration on seat for vertical axis (Z-axis) only. The RMS acceleration calculated compare with the Scale of Vibration Discomfort in ISO 2631 to determine the comfort level reaction. The vibration dose value also been calculated and compare with A (8) in ISO 2631 to identify the cumulative exposure effect. Furthermore, the acoustic analysis is also been carried out to determine the lecture theatre sound pressure level in term of equivalent continuous sound levels (Leq) and time-weighted sound level for maximum and minimum sound level at resolution of 1s. There are 11 types of anthropometric measurement collected from student sample which include male and female and analyze using SPSS statistical software to generate 5th percentile to 95th percentile and compare with existing seat dimension to determine the level of incompatibility for each of the chairs in TARUC. From the questionnaire, student’s overall comfort level can be obtained from the BORG RPE scale based on the seat they used. Based on different parameter considered, Chair Type B has been identified as the most comfortable seat with moderate vibration intensity exposure, higher comfort level rating and lower level of incompatibility among three different seats provided in TARUC.