Analysis of residual stress fields in the riveted joint

The riveted joints are critical areas of the aircraft structure. The residual stress and strain state appears at the rivet hole after the riveting process and improves fatigue behaviour of the joint. Numerical FE simulations of the upsetting process are carried out using the MARC code. Three-dimensional numerical models are used to determine the resulting stress and strain fields at the countersunk rivet and around the hole. The contact with friction is defined between the mating parts of the joint. Calculations are carried out in an elastic-plastic range. The influence of the rivet geometry, rivet stiffness and the sheet material model on strain and stress states is studied. Non-destructive testing methods like X-ray diffraction, liquid penetrant inspection and visual detection analysis with a UV lamp are used for validation of numerical results. Comparison between numerical and experimental results gives a satisfactory agreement. Numerical simulations allow investigating the influence of imperfections on the strength of the joint.