Search

Many previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of riveting parameters on single-row riveted lap joints. Little attention has been paid to multi-row riveted lap joints. The outer rows of a normal multi-row riveted lap joint usually bear a larger part of the tensile load. However, none of the studies relate the phenomenon to the squeezing displacement combination of a multi-row riveted lap joint. To improve the performance of a three-row riveted lap joint, this paper aims to reveal the internal relation between tensile load distribution, structural deformation and squeezing displacement combination. Theoretical discussion, numerical simulation and an experimental test have been conducted. Four different squeezing displacement combinations have been studied. The result indicates that an appropriate squeezing displacement combination can effectively make tensile load distribution more homogeneous. Each rivet can take approximately 33% tensile load. Structural deformation magnitude can be reduced as well. Compared with the worst situation, at the region most sensitive to tensile load, the max strain value can reduce about 53.22–79.76%. A suitable squeeze displacement combination is a simple approach for the performance enhancement of a three-row riveted lap joint. It can be practically applied in aircraft manufacturing without any additional equipment or skill learning.

The slug rivet installation process is complex. A lot of parameters are included during the riveting deformation process. The workload and time cost of a traditional simulation study is very high since a traditional numerical model should be modified manually time by time when riveting parameters change. The data processing after simulation is another complex work. To improve the situation, this paper presents a parameterized modeling method. The modeling process and data processing algorithm can be developed using Python script. The parameterized model can automatically and continuously re-build without any manual intervention according to the riveting parameter auto-update condition. The post-processing analysis can be automatically conducted and saved as well. Then this paper conducts continuous analysis to illustrate the impact of riveting parameters on riveting quality. The parameterized model keeps running 41 times until the riveting parameter is out of range. The parameterized modeling method is a useful method for a simulation study. The study will pave the way for further investigations.