Study on failure characteristics of multi-rivet joints in composite lap plates using blind rivets

doi:10.19936/j.cnki.2096-8000.20260728.013

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the load-bearing capacity of composite laminated lap joints with multi-rivet countersunk pull-through connections through single-shear multi-rivet tensile testing and simulation analysis, focusing on the effects of overlap height and rivet arrangement patterns. The experimental results showed that the primary failure modes were rivet shank fracture and localized damage in the laminate. The rivet fracture was caused by the shear action of the laminate, while the laminate damage originated from bearing stress around the rivet holes. The study found no significant positive correlation between overlap height and load-bearing capacity. Different arrangement patterns exhibited varying load-bearing capacities due to differences in rivet quantity, with parallel arrangements demonstrating higher capacity than staggered ones. Additionally, using T700 carbon fiber composite lap joints, despite their higher tensile strength, did not improve the load-bearing capacity of the multi-rivet connection structure. Instead, due to stress concentration and uneven load distribution, the T700 joints exhibited reduced capacity compared to T300 carbon fiber composite lap joints.

Key words: core pulling rivet, multi-rivet connection, composite material, bearing characteristics, simple shear tensile test, finite element analysis

CLC Number:

TB332

ZHANG Heng, DONG Weilin, XIONG Ruoqin, WANG Runze, YANG Chen, GENG Xiaoliang, LI Linsong, YANG Jin, LIU Jun. Study on failure characteristics of multi-rivet joints in composite lap plates using blind rivets[J]. COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 2026, 0(7): 108-116.

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