[Link] Asst.

prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Riveted Joints
UNIT 3 RIVETED JOINTS
Structure
3.1 Introduction
Objectives
3.2 Head Forming
3.3 Types of Rivets
3.4 Types of Riveted Joints
3.5 Nomenclature
3.6 Modes of Failure of a Riveted Joint
3.7 Efficiency of Riveted Joints
3.8 Calculation of Hole Dia and Pitch
3.9 Riveted Joints in Structures
3.10 Joints for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
3.11 Design Procedure for Longitudinal Butt Joint
3.12 Design Procedure for Circumferential Lap Joint
3.13 Torsional Loading and Eccentric Loading of Riveted Joint
3.14 Summary
3.15 Key Words
3.16 Answers to SAQs

3.1 INTRODUCTION
In engineering practice it is often required that two sheets or plates are joined together
and carry the load in such ways that the joint is loaded. Many times such joints are
required to be leak proof so that gas contained inside is not allowed to escape. A riveted
joint is easily conceived between two plates overlapping at edges, making holes through
thickness of both, passing the stem of rivet through holes and creating the head at the end
of the stem on the other side. A number of rivets may pass through the row of holes,
which are uniformly distributed along the edges of the plate. With such a joint having
been created between two plates, they cannot be pulled apart. If force at each of the free
edges is applied for pulling the plate apart the tensile stress in the plate along the row of
rivet hole and shearing stress in rivets will create resisting force. Such joints have been
used in structures, boilers and ships.
The development of welding technology in 1940s has considerably reduced the riveted
joint applications. Welding is the method of locally melting the metals (sheets or plates –
overlapping or butting) with intensive heating along with a filler metal or without it and
allowing to cool them to form a coherent mass, thus creating a joint. Such joints can be
created to make structures, boilers, pressure vessels, etc. and are more conveniently
made in steel. The progress has been made in welding several types of steels but large
structure size may impede the use of automatic techniques and heat treatment which
becomes necessary in some cases. Welded ships were made in large size and large
number during Second World War and failures of many of them spurted research efforts
to make welding a better technology.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to
 describe the types of riveted joint,
 calculate the strength of riveted joints,
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[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Machine Design  explain how many different ways the riveted joints can fail,
 design riveted joints for boilers, structure and under eccentric loads.

3.2 HEAD FORMING

You know that the riveted joint is created by passing the stem of a rivet through holes in
two plates as is shown in Figure 3.1(a). The creation of head by process of upsetting is
shown in Figure 3.1(b). The upsetting of the cylindrical portion of the rivet can be done
cold or hot. When diameter of rivet is 12 mm or less, cold upsetting can be done. For
larger diameters the rivet is first heated to light red and inserted. The head forming
immediately follows. The rivet completely fills the hole in hot process. Yet it must be
understood that due to subsequent cooling the length reduces and diameter decreases.
The reduction of length pulls the heads of rivet against plates and makes the joint
slightly stronger. The reduction of diameter creates clearance between the inside of the
hole and the rivet. Such decrease in length and diameter does not occur in cold worked
rivet.

d1

a
t
t

(a) (b)
Figure 3.1 : Typical Head Forming of Rivet

3.3 TYPES OF RIVETS

For steel plates the rivets are normally made in low carbon steel. However, the rivets in
copper add to resistance against corrosion and aluminum rivets can be used to reduce the
overall weight of the structure. The low carbon steel is standardized in composition
particularly for boiler applications.
Rivets with counter sunk head as in Figure 3.2(b) and oval counter sunk rivets shown in
Figure 3.2(c) are not as strong as button head rivets. They are used only when
protrotruding rivet heads are objectionable. Pan heads and conical heads, Figures 3.2(d)
and (e) are less frequently used and are difficult to form. Tubular rivets, Figures 3.2(f)
and (g) are special deviation from solid rivet shank. These rivets are used in aircrafts.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Buton head Counter sunk Oval counter Pan head Conical head
head sunk head

(f) (g)
Tubular rivets
Figure 3.2 : Different Types of Rivet Heads
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[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Riveted Joints
3.4 TYPES OF RIVETED JOINTS
The classification of riveted joints is based on following :
(a) According to purpose,
(b) According to position of plates connected, and
(c) According to arrangement of rivets.
According to purpose the riveted joints are classified as :
Strong Joints
In these joints strength is the only criterion. Joints in engineering structure such as
beams, trusses and machine frames are strong joints.
Tight Joints
These joints provide strength as well as are leak proof against low pressures.
Joints in reservoirs, containers and tanks fall under this group.
Strong Tight Joints
These are joints applied in boilers and pressure vessels and ensure both strength
and leak proofness.
This classification has no sound basis and is arbitrary. However, it helps understand the
basis of design and manufacturing. The hot working of rivets is one-way of making
intimate contact between plates in the areas of joint. Further, the holes are drilled and
reamed to required tolerances and burrs removed for good contact before rivets are
placed in the holes. The edge of the plate is upset by means of a hammer and a caulking
tool so that edge is strongly pressed against the plate surface to help leak proofing
(Figure 3.3).
Caulking 15-18o
tool

Figure 3.3 : Caulking of Riveted Joint

The riveted joints are classified as (i) lap joint and (ii) butt joint according to position
of plates. In a lap joint the edges of plates are simply laid over each other and riveted.
Figures 3.4(a) and (d) show lap joints. If we pull the plates by application of tensile
forces, they do not fall in the same line and hence cause the rivets and plates to bend.
Plates placed end-to-end and jointed through cover plates form single cover butt joint.
Such joints are shown in Figures 3.4(b) and (e). You can see that pulling plates apart by
colinear tensile forces may still cause bending of rivets. Figures 3.4(c) and (f) show the
butting plates covered by two straps and then riveted. Such joints are called double
cover butt joint. Plate bending and rivet bending are eliminated.
According to arrangement of rivets, the joints are called single riveted, (Figures 3.4(a),
(b) and (c)) It may be noted that in a single riveted lap joint there is only one row of
rivets passing through both plates while in a single riveted butt joint either of single
cover or double cover type one row of rivets will pass through each of the plates.
Similarly as shown in Figures 3.4(d) and (e) when two rows of rivets pass through both
plates of lap joint it is called double riveted lap joint and two rows of rivets pass
through each of butting plates the joint is a double riveted single cover butt joint. A
double riveted double cover butt joint is shown in Figure 3.4(f).
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[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Machine Design t/2

t t t
t
d d d

t/2
m m
m
P P m

m
(a) (b) (c)
t t
t
d d

Pb

P
P2
P
m Pb m

Pb

Figure 3.4 : Types of Riveted Joints : (a) Single Riveted Lap Joint; (b) Single Riveted-single Cover Butt
Joint; (c) Single Riveted Double Cover Butt Joint; (d) Double Riveted Lap Joint; (e) Double Riveted
Single Cover Butt Joint; and (f) Double Riveted Double Cover Butt Joint

The arrangement of rivets in Figure 3.4(d) can be described that in both the rows the
rivets are opposite to each other while in Figure 3.4(e) the rivets in the adjacent rows are
staggered. The joint in Figure 3.4(d) is said to be chain riveted while that in
Figure 3.4(e) is zig-zag riveted joint. In zig-zag riveting the rivet in one row is placed at
the middle level of the two rivets in the adjacent row.

3.5 NOMENCLATURE
Several dimensions become obviously important in a riveted joint and a design will
consist in calculating many of them. These dimensions and their notations as to be used
in this text are described below.
Pitch
As seen from Figures 3.4(a), (b) and (c) pitch, denoted by p, is the center distance
between two adjacent rivet holes in a row.
Back Pitch
The center distance between two adjacent rows of rivets is defined as back pitch.
It is denoted by pb and is shown in Figures 3.4(d) and (e).
Diagonal Pitch
The smallest distance between centres of two rivet holes in adjacent rows of a
zig-zag riveted joint is called diagonal pitch. Denoted by pd, the diagonal pitch is
shown in Figure 3.4(e).
Margin
It is the distance between centre of a rivet hole and nearest edge of the plate. It is
64 denoted by m as shown in Figures 3.4(b), (c) and (d).
[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

The plates to be jointed are often of the same thickness and their thickness is denoted Riveted Joints
by t. However, if the thicknesses are different, the lower one will be denoted by t1. The
thickness of the cover plate (also known as strap) in a butt joint will be denoted as tc.
The rivet hole diameter is denoted by d. This diameter is normally large than the
diameter of the rivet shank which is denoted by d1.
A problem of designing of a riveted joint involves determinations of p, pb, pd, m, t, tc and
d, depending upon type of the joint.

3.6 MODES OF FAILURE OF A RIVETED JOINT

A riveted joint may fail in several ways but the failure occurs as soon as failure takes
place in any one mode. Following is the description of modes of failures of a riveted
joint. These modes are described with the help of a single riveted lap joint, which is
subjected to tensile load P. In general the description will be applicable to any other type
of joint. Reference is made in Figure 3.5 in which a single riveted lap joint is shown
loaded.
t
t
P
P
m
m
P p P
p

Figure 3.5 : Single Riveted Lap Joint

(a) Tearing of Plate at the Section Weakened by Holes

Figure 3.6 shows this mode of failure. The plate at any other section is
obviously stronger, and hence does not fail. If tensile force P is to cause
tearing, it will occur along weakest section, which carries the row of rivets.
If only one pitch length p is considered; it is weakened by one hole
diameter d. The area that resists the tensile force is
At = (p – d) t
If the permissible stress for plate in tension is t, then tensile strength of the
joint or tensile load carrying capacity of the joint
Pt  t ( p  d ) t . . . (3.1)
If P is the applied tensile force per pitch length then the joint will not fail if
Pt  P . . . (3.2)

p
P P

p (p-d)

Figure 3.6 : Tearing of Plate at the Section Weakened by Holes 65

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Machine Design (b) Shearing of Rivet

Figure 3.7 shows how a rivet can shear. The failure will occur when all the
rivets in a row shear off simultaneously. Considers the strength provided by
the rivet against this mode of failure, one consider number of rivets in a
pitch length which is obviously one. Further, in a lap joint failure due to
shear may occur only along one section of rivet as shown in Figure 3.7(a).
However, in case of double cover butt joint failure may take place along
two sections in the manner shown in Figure 3.7(b). So in case of single
shear th0e area resisting shearing of a rivet,
 2
As  d
4
(Since the difference between diameter of hole and diameter of rivet is very
small, diameter of hole is used for diameter of the rivet).

P P/2
P
P

P/2

(a) (b)
Figure 3.7 : Shearing of Rivet : (a) Single Shear; and (b) Double Shear
If permissible shearing stress in single shear of rivet is s, then the shearing
strength or shearing load carrying capacity of the joint.
 2
Ps  s d . . . (3.3)
4
The failure will not occur if
Ps  P . . . (3.4)
We may also write if n is the number of rivets per pitch length,
 2
Ps  n s d . . . (3.5)
4
If the rivet is in double shear as in Figure 3.7(b) the effective area over
which failure occurs in 2 As. The permissible stress in double shear is
1.75 times that in single shear. Hence in double shear
 2
Ps  n  1.75 s d . . . (3.6)
4
(c) Crushing of Plate and Rivet
Due to rivet being compressed against the inner surface of the hole, there is
a possibility that either the rivet or the hole surface may be crushed. The
area, which resists this action, is the projected area of hole or rivet on
diametral plane. The area per rivet is (see Figure 3.8).
Ac  dt
If permissible crushing or bearing stress of rivet or plate is c the crushing
strength of the joint or load carrying capacity of the joint against crushing
is,
Pc  dt c . . . (3.7)
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[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Riveted Joints

P
t

Figure 3.8 : Crushing of Rivet

The failure in this mode will not occur if

Pc  P . . . (3.8)

where P is applied load per pitch length, and there is one rivet per pitch. If
number of rivets is n in a pitch length then right hand side in Eq. (3.7) is
multiplied by n.
(d) Shearing of Plate Margin near the Rivet Hole
Figure 3.9 shows this mode of failure in which margin can shear along
planes ab and cd. If the length of margin is m, the area resisting this
failure is,
Ams  2 mt

If permissible shearing stress of plate is s then load carrying capacity of the

joint against shearing of the margin is,
Pms  2 mt s . . . (3.9)

The failure in this case will not occur if

Pms  P . . . (3.10)

where P is the applied load per pitch length.

m
a b
P P

c d

Figure 3.9 : Shearing of Margin

The modes of failure discussed above are primary in nature and in certain
cases they have to be considered uniquely. One such case is when rivets are
arranged in lossenge form or diamond shape. This case will be discussed at
proper stage.
In writing down the above equations for strength of the joint certain
assumptions have been made. It is worthwhile to remember them. Most
importantly it should be remembered that most direct stresses have been
assumed to be induced in rivet and plate which may not be the case.
However, ignorance of actual state of stress and its replacement by most
direct stress is compensated by lowering the permissible values of stresses
t, s and c, i.e. by increasing factor of safety. 67
[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Machine Design The assumptions made in calculations of strengths of joint in Eq. (3.1)
through (3.10) are :
(a) The tensile load is equally distributed over pitch lengths.
(b) The load is equally distributed over all rivets.
(c) The bending of rivets does not occur.
(d) The rivet holes do not produce stress concentration. The plate
at the hole is not weakened due to increase in diameter of the
rivet during second head formation.
(e) The crushing pressure is uniformly distributed over the
projected area of the rivet.
(f) Friction between contacting surfaces of plates is neglected.

3.7 EFFICIENCY OF RIVETED JOINTS

If only a pitch length of solid or hole free plate is considered then its load carrying
capacity will be
P1  pt t . . . (3.11)
P1 will apparently be greater then Pt, Ps, Pc or Pms. The ratio of any of Pt, Ps, Pc or Pms to
P1 is defined as the efficiency of the joint in that particular mode. Ideally Pt, Ps, Pc and
Pms all must be equal, but actually it may not be the case. The efficiency of the joint will
be determined by least of Pt, Ps, Pc, and Pms. Thus efficiency of the joint is,
Least of Pt , Ps , Pc and Pms
 . . . (3.12)
Pt t
The ideal that strengths in different modes of failure are equal is not achieved in a design
because the rivet hole diameters and rivet diameters are standardized for technological
convenience. Table 3.1 describes the average and maximum efficiencies of commercial
boiler joints.
Table 3.1 : Efficiencies of Commercial Boiler Joints
Type of Joint Average Efficiency Maximum Efficiency
% %
Lap Joints
Single riveted 45-60 63.3
Double riveted 63-70 77.5
Triple riveted 72-80 86.5
Butt Joints
Single riveted 55-60 63.3
Double riveted 70-83 86.6
Triple riveted 80-90 95.0
Quadruple riveted 85-94 98.1

3.8 CALCULATION OF HOLE DIA AND PITCH

For an ideal joint the rivet should be equally strong against shearing and crushing.
Hence, from Eqs. (3.3) and (3.7), making Ps = Pc
 2
d s  dt c
4
c
 d  1.274 t (in single shear) . . . (3.13)
s
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[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

If rivet is in double shear, Riveted Joints

c
d  0.637 t . . . (3.14)
s

Generally s = 60 MPa or N/mm2

c = 130 MPa or N/mm2
giving d = 2.75 t in single shear . . . (3.15)
d = 1.37 t in double shear
Also equating right hand sides of Eqs. (3.1) and (3.3),
 2
( p  d ) t t  d s
4

d2
or p s  d
4t t

Substituting s = 60 MPa
t = 75 MPa

d2
p  0.628 d
t
Using Eq. (3.15) in above equation
p = 2.73 d (in single shear)
p = 1.86 d (in double shear) . . . (3.16)
Equating right hand sides of Eqs. (3.7) and (3.9)
2mt s  dt c

d c
or m
2 s

Substituting c = 130 MPa

s = 60 MPa
m = 1.08 d . . . (3.17)
There are several practical considerations due to which the design dimensions are
modified. Most important of these is the pressure tightness of the joint, which is mainly
achieved by caulking of the plate edges. The caulking becomes easier with short pitches
and smaller rivets. It also makes it desirable that margin should be 1.5 d but not greater.
The results in this section are indicative of calculation procedure and by no means be
treated as standard formulae. These results are valid only for particular case and
permissible stresses adopted. As a common practice for plate thickness greater than
8 mm the diameter of rivet hole is determined by

d 6 t . . . (3.18)

This is known as Unwin’s formula.

It has been pointed out in the last sections that no attempt was made to derive formulae.
The expressions for various load carrying capacities were written by examining the
geometry. Therefore, you must see that in each problem the geometry is understood and
then the expressions for forces are written. In the examples here we would see how we
can approach to design a riveted joint.
69
[Link] Asst. prof,,MED,KITSS HZB

Machine Design Example 3.1

Design a double riveted lap joint for MS plates 9.5 mm thick. Calculate the
efficiency of the joint. The permissible stresses are :
t = 90 MPa, s = 75 MPa, c = 150 MPa
Solution
The joint to be designed is shown schematically in Figure 3.10.

P
t
P

d
p

pb m

Figure 3.10

(a) Dia. of Rivet Hole d : It is determined by Unwin’s formula, Eq. (3.18)

d 6 t

or d  6 9.5  18.5 mm . . . (i)

(b) Pitch of the Joint, p : In a double riveted joint there are 4 rivets in a pitch
length. The rivet diameter will be taken as diameter of the hole as difference
between them is small. The rivets can fail in shear or due to crushing. We
will first determine the shearing and crushing strength of a rivet and equate
the smaller of two to the plate tearing strength to determine p.
Shearing strength of one rivet
 2 
 d s  (18.5)2 75  20.16 kN . . . (a)
4 4
Crushing strength of one rivet
 c dt  150  18.5  9.5  26.36 kN . . . (b)

From (a) and (b) it is seen that the rivet is weaker in shear.
 We will equate tearing strength of plate with shearing strength of rivets
in a pitch length. There are two rivets in the pitch length.
 2
 t ( p  d ) t  2  d s
4

 d 2 s  (18.5)2 75
or p d  18.5
2 t t 2 9.5 90

70 or p = 65.55 mm say 65.7 mm . . . (ii)

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The pitch should be such that head forming operation is not hindered. The Riveted Joints
practice dictates that p  3 d so that head forming is permitted.
3 d = 55.5 mm, and hence the value of p obtained in (ii) is acceptable.
(c) The back Pitch pb : It must be between 2.5 d to 3.0 d. For chain riveting the
higher value is preferred for the reason of head forming
pb  3d  3  18.5  55.5 mm . . . (iii)

(d) Margin, m : m is determined by equating shearing strength of rivet (smaller

of shearing and crushing strengths of rivet). Remember that there are two
rivets per pitch length :
 2
 2mt s  2 d s
4

 d2  (18.5)2
 m   28.3 mm . . . (iv)
4 t 4 9.5
The minimum acceptable value of m is 1.5 d = 27.5 mm hence
m = 28.3 mm is acceptable.
Thus the design is completed with
d = 18.5 mm, p = 65.7 mm, pb = 55.5 mm, m = 28.3 mm
The diameter is standardized, apparently based on drill size. Normally
fractions like 18.5 mm may not be accepted. The rivet diameters are less
than hole diameter by 1 mm. Yet the head formation process increases rivet
diameter. We are not yet describing standard hole and rivet diameters.
We postpone it for the time being.
(e) Efficiency of Joint
Tensile strength of plate without holes, per pitch length
P1  t pt  90  65.7  9.5  56.2 kN . . . (c)

Shearing strength of rivets in a pitch length

 2 
Ps  2  s  d  2  75  (18.5)2  40.3 kN . . . (d)
4 4
Crushing strength of rivets in a pitch length
Pc  2  c  d  t  2  150  18.5  9.5  52.7 kN . . . (e)

The tearing strength of plate with one hole in a pitch length

Pt  t ( p  d ) t  90 (65.7  18.5) 9.5  40.36 kN . . . (f)

The shearing strength of margin

Pms  2 s mt  2  75  28.3  9.5  40.32 kN . . . (g)

Out of all Ps, Pc, Pt and Pms, the lowest is Pm

Ps 40.3
   71.7% . . . (h)
P1 56.2

The design values are

d = 18.5 mm, p = 65.7 mm, pb = 55.5 mm, m = 28.3 mm,  = 71.7%
71