Abstract: Wicket gate is a main component of hydro turbine and it plays an important role in safe and stable
operation of hydro turbine. To enhance stiffness and control material consumption for the hollow wicket gate
of Kaplan turbine, the influence of inner structure of the gate body on its stiffness is studied by using finite
element method. The results show that the thickness of gate-face steel plate, the thickness and position of
vertical rib slab, and the shaft length inside the body have significant influence on the stiffness while the
influence of horizontal rib slab and multiple vertical rib slabs are insignificant. A comparison of wicket gate
mass between different structures suggests an optimal structure of the hollow wicket gate, which would be
useful for design of similar wicket gates.