Optimal Design on Cutterhead Supporting Structure of Tunnel Boring Machine Based on Continuum Topology Optimization Method

摘要

A continuum topology optimization method is introduced to the conceptual design of a cutterhead supporting structure of tunnel boring machine to avoid numerous empirical solutions. The conceptual design of the supporting structure is determined in the guidance of topology optimization combined with given working conditions. A finite element analysis indicates that the deformation and stress of the optimized cutterhead are reduced greatly as compared with those of the original design. Furthermore, the deformation distribution of the optimization is more homogeneous than that of the original one. The present work indicates that the continuum topology optimization plays an effective role in guiding the supporting structure design of cutterhead.