Numerical Analysis of Double Riveted Lap Joints

Abstract

In a previous work, the fatigue behaviour of different hot riveted joints under fatigue loadings were experimentally calculated. In particular, the experimental data showed a Wöhler curve slope close to five against the slope of three proposed by Eurocode 3. However, two series of shear splice riveted joints showed, at two million cycles, a stress range very close to the value suggested by Eurocode for shear splices that use non-preloaded high-strength bolts. In order to clarify the fatigue behaviour of riveted joints at high- and medium-fatigue regimes, this paper presents a preliminary three-dimensional non-linear FE analysis of a double-riveted lap joint previously analysed experimentally. Different friction coefficients and rivet clamping stress have been taken Into account, as well as the elastoplastic behaviours of the main plate subjected to tensile loadings. The numerical analysis shows that the friction force tends to reduce the range of stresses at the net section during fatigue loadings, and the force distribution or the stress concentration on the rivets is always critical for the external rivet, which is also the case regarding the non-linear behaviour of the material.