Finite Element Analysis of Static Strength and Fatigue Strength of Hydraulic Shield Support

Abstract

By using the geometry modeling software Pro/E, the three-dimensional model of hydraulic shield support has been built. Considering of the loading conditions and displacement constraints which the hydraulic shield support suffers from under the actual working conditions, the static strength and fatigue strength of the hydraulic shield support were analyzed by FEM when they were in two different typical working conditions of the support height, and the weakest part which was discovered in the analysis was improved in its structure. The study results showed that the designed hydraulic shield support could meet the requests of the static strength and fatigue strength. The column of the hydraulic shield support and the ear plate which locates in the connection area of the column and the push beam are the weakest parts. The counterforce given by the ground mainly focuses on the mid-back position of the hydraulic shield support, which meets the requirements of saving labor when they were removed. In the Finite Element Analysis when the reinforcement ribs were added to the ear plate, we found that the maximum equivalent stress is reduced by 150 MPa and the fatigue life coefficient is reduced markedly as well. The possibility of the fatigue breakage was decreased largely after the structure was modified and the service life of the hydraulic shield support was improved. These prove that the improvement of the hydraulic shield support structure is reasonable and feasible.