Abstract: Tunnel support structure system is the key of controlling the stability of surrounding rock, which is also the basic task of tunnel design, while systemic understanding of the process and mechanism of interaction among support structures is the basis of quantitative design. This paper embarks from structural property of tunnel surrounding rock and the constitutive property of support effect, the basic function of tunnel support that "mobilizing" and "assisting" surrounding rock bearing is put forward, of which the function distribution principle and realization way are clarified, namely, through the guarantee role of advanced support, the core role of primary support and safety reserve role of secondary lining to complete. In view of three advanced failure modes including the positive extrusion, the forward type caving and posterior tilt falling of surrounding rock, the corresponding advanced support pattern and its effect evaluation method are given respectively. The primary support is the main undertaker of tunnel surrounding rock additional load, including the anchorage system and the arch and shotcrete structure, whose bearing function is carried out by "mobilizing" and "assisting" surrounding rock respectively, and also have the function of "bracing" and "protecting". The connotation of secondary lining structure as security reserve function is illuminated. The relationship between load sharing ratio and stiffness matching and support time of secondary lining structure is established, according to which the suggestive values of structure parameters and support time of secondary lining are provided. The collaborative support optimization model is set up based on the three stages of the interaction between advanced support, primary support, secondary lining and surrounding rock, whose targets are minimizing surrounding rock deformation S and optimizing synergy degreeξ. Three levels of synergy including relations between support structure system and surrounding rock, different support structures and different support structure elements are clarified. And a collaborative optimization design method for tunnel support structure is proposed.