Slug rivet assembly modeling and effects of procedure parameters on the quality of riveted lap joints

Abstract

Slug rivet interference-fit riveting is one of the advanced connection technologies which has been widely applied in aerospace manufacture. This article presents an appropriate numerical model simulating the slug rivet upset process with countersunk hole structure. Many previous studies have focused on the riveted lap joints without countersunk hole structure and ignored its related process parameters. The main difference is that the hole expansion would be inhomogeneous through the thickness direction due to the impact of countersunk hole. To improve the riveting quality and reduce the inhomogeneity scale of the interference distribution, the effects of two procedure parameters have been assessed. The analysis results significantly improve knowledge about the slug rivet installation process as well as the effects of the corresponding process parameters. The study will pave the way for further investigations.