Static and fatigue performance of non-circular rivet joints: Comparison between numerical modelling and preliminary testing

Abstract

Alternative non-circular rivet joint geometries are investigated. An optimum non-circular rivet geometry based on a continuous change in the radius of curvature is proposed to minimise the stress concentration factor on structural components joined by rivets, which is the first time to be proposed to the best author’s knowledge. By-pass and bearing load cases are considered for both numerical analysis and a preliminary experimental programme. For isotropic materials, linear elastic analyses (for the stress concentration factors) and fully elastoplastic analyses are carried out in the numerical simulations. The experimental programme includes static tests (for both by- pass and bearing load cases) and fatigue tests (by-pass loading) for isotropic materials, whereas only static tests (for both by-pass and bearing load cases) are considered for orthotropic com- posites. The correlation of experimental and numerical results indicates that the reduction of the stress concentration factor plays an important role in improving fatigue behaviour and has almost no influence under static loading. Hence, the life of structural riveted components may increase, improving the life cycle of the entire structure in service.