Experiments and model predictions for fatigue crack propagation in riveted lap-joints with multiple site damage.

In this paper, the growth of long fatigue cracks up to failure in aircraft components is studied. A deterministic model is presented, able to simulate the growth of fatigue through cracks located at rivet holes in lap-joint panels. It also includes criteria to assess the link-up of collinear adjacent cracks in a MSD scenario. To validate the model, a fatigue test campaign was carried out on riveted lap-joint specimens in order to produce experimental crack growth and link-up data. Accurate measurements of naturally occurred surface cracks were automatically performed by the Image Analysis technique, thus allowing the tests to run 24 h a day. The comparison between experimental tests and numerical simulations is good, thus confirming the model as a useful tool for the assessment of fatigue life of aircraft riveted joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]