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This paper describes a parametric study of the mechanical behaviour of self-pierced riveted (SPR) joints of steel sheets in two loading conditions (lap-shear and cross-tension). Higher strength was always observed in lap-shear testing than in cross-tension. In both loading conditions, the strength of a joint was greatly influenced by the hardness and thickness of sheet materials and die depth. An empirical model was developed to predict the joint strength in cross-tension loading using characteristic joint data determined directly from the SPR process (force-displacement) curve. All predictions of joint strength fell within 10% of the measured joint strength. Finally, a relationship was established between the joint strength in lap shear and cross-tension with < 8% error. The developed relationship provides a useful tool for further studies especially for different rivet and die geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and effective model has been developed to determine rivet flaring in self-piercing riveted (SPR) joints. Both interrupted and un-interrupted SPR experiments were performed with recording of force and punch displacement data. Based on the analysis of experimental SPR process data and the examination of cross-sections of SPR samples, two key points of the force–displacement curves were identified that mark the start ( d 0 ) and end ( d max ) of rivet flaring, respectively. It was found that these two events were able to be related to the path of the tip of the flaring rivet and hence the internal characteristics of the SPR samples via a simplified geometric approach. A linear relationship between the rivet flaring and ( d max – d 0 ) was thus established. The study shows that in the absence of a finite element model, the experimental characteristic force–displacement curve can be used directly to estimate the rivet flaring without having to cut the SPR joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]