Finite element analysis of the shear capacity of stainless-steel blind-rivet connections

Abstract

Blind-rivets are often used to connect cold-formed steel members in residential construction. Recently, stainless-steel blind-rivets have become more popular because they are highly resistant to corrosion. The stainless-steel structures design codes lack design provisions for the stainless-steel blind-rivet connections. Previously the experimental research had been conducted by the authors, the design provisions were proposed based on the results of the experimental research. It was adopted by the Chinese stainless-steel structures design specification CECS 410: 2015. Although the parametric analysis had been conducted in the experimental study, the parameter values and ranges were still limited. Finite element models for previously tested specimens in stainless-steel have been developed and validated. The validated models were then adopted to perform parametric analysis to study the key variables affecting the shear capacity of blind-rivet connections; these include blind-rivet space and number. The group-effect coefficient of group rivets was studied. The experimental and numerical results of the blind-rivet connections were compared with the shear capacity to evaluate the reliability of the design rules Chinese stainless-steel structures design specification CECS 410: 2015. It was found that the ultimate loads were increased before the blind-rivet spaces were increased up to 3.5 times of rivet diameter. The shear capacity increases linearly with the increase of the number of blind-rivets. Due to the low elastic limit of stainless-steel, the plastic bending of the blind-rivets could appear early, the stress redistribution between blind-rivets may be more uniform. Because the shear capacity of each blind-rivet can be utilized, the shear capacity of blind-rivet connections can equal to the summation of the shear capacity of each blind-rivet, the group-effect coefficient can be neglected. The reliability analysis shows that the design provisions of Chinese stainless-steel structures design specification CECS 410: 2015 can be reliable, the resistance factor for the blind-rivet connections under shear failure and bearing failure can be γR = 1.286 and γR = 1.266, respectively.