Numerous rivets have to be taken into account to simulate the behavior of a
eronautical frames under crash loading conditions. Until now this type of b
onding modeling has not been judged satisfactory. The influence of structur
al embrittlement due to the riveting process, the strength of a riveted joi
nt under dynamic loading and the characterization of a simplified rivet ele
ment, in particular, were sources of questions. For each topic, we did soli
d finite element modeling and carried out experiments to measure the influe
nce of strain rates under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. We a
lso determined the elastic-plastic and damage mechanical properties for she
et metal plates and rivet materials. Our results showed that it was essenti
al to develop a new kind of rivet element taking material non-linearities i
nto account. Experiments and solid finite element modeling of an adapted Ar
can test procedure were then conducted and pure shear and tensile non-linea
r responses as well as parameters of a macroscopic criterion were identifie
d. The use of this new rivet element was found to improve prediction of the
dynamic behavior for a frame assembled with 700 rivets. (C) 2001 Elsevier
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