Riveted joint modeling for numerical analysis of airframe crashworthiness

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 Science B.V. All rights reserved.