Iterative experimental/numerical procedure to design riveted joints for airframe crashworthiness

The paper deals with an iterative experimental/numerical methodology to improve FE riveted joint models used in airframe crashworthiness studies. Standard and specific experiments are undertaken to measure the behaviour and the strain rate sensitivity of materials for rivets and structures. Material parameters are identified for elasto-viscoplastic and damage constitutive models. Standard and specific tests are carried out and modelled to analyse the material embrittlement coming from riveting process and the dynamic failure of riveted joints. A specific procedure is developed for identification of equivalent rivet model for structural crashworthiness. A new rivet model is developed to improve the representativeness of airframe FE model.