This paper presents study of hydraulic excavator upper frame by using stress based topology optimization technique. Design of upper frame dependent on multiple event of the machine performance on the field, equivalent fatigue and yield load case been developed and used for topology optimization. Problem has been setup to minimize the volume with subjected stress constraint. The optimization results give fresh look on upper frame design. The study also concludes that structural optimization offers unique ability to give high-quality design direction in the early phases of the structural design and product development cycle.

Keywords: Structural optimization, Topology, Earth moving machine, Hydraulic excavator, Frame, ASTRLab.