Numerical approach for assessment of dynamic strength for riveted joints

Numerous rivets have to be modelled for aeronautical framework crashes. A n umerical procedure based on FE modelling and characterisation of material f ailure constitutive models is proposed in order to limit the experimental p rocedure. Quasi-static and dynamic experiments are carried out on elementar y tension (punched) and shear (riveted) specimens. No strain rate sensitivi ty has been measured on the riveted joint assemblies failure. The experimen ts are used to identify, by an inverse method, the Gurson damage parameters of each material (2024-T351 and 7050 aluminium alloys for the sheet metal plate and the rivet). The characterisation gives rise to a satisfactory cor relation between FE models and experiments. Optimised parameters are valida ted for each material by means of a uniaxial tension test for the sheet met al plate and an ARCAN type specimen in pure tension for the rivet. Results can then be used to identify macroscopic failure criterion to model the riv et behaviour in aeronautical framework crashes. FE tools can also resolve p roblems linked to limit-design or the design of new riveted joint assemblie s more rapidly and cost effectively than experiments. (C) 1999 Editions sci entifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.