Numerical simulation and experimental analysis of riveting with pipe rivet

Riveting is one of the normal sheet joints. A method of joining metal sheets, pipe riveting, is considered. A pipe rivet is set between two sheets and a compressive force is applied, then the both ends of the pipe rivet are impressed into the sheets, respectively. Finite element numerical simulations of riveting with pipe rivet are carried out by DEFORM-2D software. Forming process of the riveting, distribution of stress and strain, load-displacement behavior, and joining strength are analyzed. Some rivets with different correlation angles are made and used in the experiments. Then the cross-section shapes of the riveting are observed. The results show the cross-section shapes of the riveting in the numerical simulations are consonant with in the experiments. Tensile tests of lap joints and cross joints with different angles of the rivets are carried out, so shear Load-displacement curves and normal joint strength are drawn under tensile testing machine. The results show joining property in case of theta = 60 degrees is better than theta = 45 degrees or 90 degrees by tests of lap joints and cross joints.