A Simplified Finite Element Model of Riveted Joints for Structural Analyses with Consideration of Nonlinear Load-Transfer Characteristics

A simplified finite element model of riveted joints for structural analyses which effectively incorporates nonlinear response of riveted joints is proposed. Load-transfer characteristics of riveted joints were experimentally and numerically studied. First, a detailed finite element analysis for the process of a tensile test of a single-row joint which consists of squeezing of the rivet and tensile loading to the joint was conducted to confirm the validity of a conventional method of analysis. The load–relative displacement behaviors of single-row joints observed in the detailed finite element analysis and previously conducted experiments agreed well. Then, a simplified method of the analysis was developed based on the detailed analysis and the experiments and was applied to analyses of multiple-row joints. A nonlinear relationship between load and relative displacement in the simplified analyses had good agreement with the detailed one. Distributed loads to the multiple rivets in the simplified analysis coincided with those of the detailed analysis under the maximum load. Memory and CPU time required to run the simplified analyses were reduced to about 1/4 and 1/6 compared to those of the detailed analysis, respectively.