Experimental validation of an equivalent modelling strategy for clinch configurations

Abstract

Clinching is a joining technique for (dis)similar sheet(metal) parts that is realised with a permanent mechanical interlock due to local plastic deformation. In the search for lightweight and economic joining techniques, clinching is gaining interest in recent years in the domains of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), automotive and general metal constructions. To predict the mechanical behaviour of structures containing multiple clinched joints, it is not computationally feasible to introduce detailed sub-models of these type of joints in FE simulations. In this paper, an equivalent model for a single clinched joint is applied and extended to structures which contain multiple clinched joints. It is shown that the equivalent model enables to accurately reproduce the more complex loading of clinch configurations. Finally the method is applied to an industrial feed intake boot as a test case for strength analysis of the structure.