A Simplified Finite Element Riveted Lap Joint Model in Structural Dynamic Analysis

Abstract

This paper proposes a simplified finite element model to represent a riveted lap joint in structural dynamic analysis field. The rivet is modeled by spring-damper elements. Several numerical models are studied with different quantities of rivets (1, 3 and 5) and spring-damper elements (4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 20) per rivet. In parallel, samples of two aluminum material plates connected by different quantities of rivets (1, 3 and 5) are built and tested in order to be known its modal characteristics – natural frequencies and mode shapes. The purpose of the different settings is to get the best numerical riveted lap joint representation relatively to the experimental one. For this purpose a finite element model updating methodology is used. An evaluation of the best numerical riveted lap joint is carried out based on comparisons between the numerical model after updating and the experimental one. It is shown that the riveted lap joints composed by eight and twelve spring-damper elements per rivet have the best representation. A stiffness constant value k is obtained for the riveted lap joints in study.