Topology optimization and thickness minimization of a motor plate used in tower cranes
MATERIALS TESTING, cilt.68, sa.2, ss.156-171, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 68 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1515/mt-2025-0141
- Dergi Adı: MATERIALS TESTING
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.156-171
- Anahtar Kelimeler: bending, finite element analysis, mass reduction, motor mounting plate, structural design, topology optimization
- Trakya Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
By providing structural support and damping capacity, motor plates used in tower cranes effectively reduce vibrations stemming from the mass and operation of asynchronous motor assemblies, thereby improving overall performance. This study proposes a combined topology and thickness optimization strategy to minimize the weight of a motor plate used in tower cranes without compromising structural performance. In the first stage, topology optimization is conducted to achieve an optimal material distribution under predefined loading and boundary conditions. In the second stage, thickness optimization is performed to minimize mass while maintaining structural integrity, considering maximum equivalent stress and total deformation as primary constraints. Finite element analysis is used throughout the process to evaluate mechanical responses for each design iteration. Results indicate that the motor plate mass can be reduced by approximately 60 % without compromising safety limits, providing a substantial improvement in both material efficiency and mechanical performance. The final optimized model is validated and presented with graphical interpretations of stress, deformation, and mass variation against plate thickness.