Fatigue behaviour of double lap riveted joints assembled with and without interfay sealant

Fatigue tests on ‘double shear’ riveted specimens were carried out. Material was aluminium alloy, 7075‐T73, thickness 3 mm. Specimen surfaces were protected by chromic acid anodization and epoxy primer. The mating surfaces of some specimens were sealed by a two‐component manganese‐dioxide cured, polysulfide compound. Specimens were pre‐assembled by inserting a temporary spring fastener in a pilot hole. The holes were reamed to the final diameter after sealant curing; then the Hi‐Loks were installed. Comparative fatigue tests were carried out on dry assembled specimens. Quite surprisingly, the fatigue resistance of sealed specimens was very low when compared with the results of dry assembled specimens. Hysteresis cycles measured in sealed and un‐sealed specimens clearly indicated a lubricant effect of the sealing layer, which justified the results obtained. Additional tests were performed on specimens assembled by applying different clamping force during the sealant curing time. The results obtained indicated an independence of the fatigue resistance on this parameter. Different failure modes were observed in sealed and un‐sealed specimens: fatigue cracks nucleated outside the hole at a location in the shadow of the rivet in the un‐sealed joints, while fatigue cracks nucleated at both sides of the holes in sealed joints. Finite element calculations carried out under different values of the friction coefficient between the mating surfaces confirmed the different location of the fatigue critical areas in sealed and un‐sealed specimens.     

A Bayesian evaluation of simulation models of multiple-site fatigue cracks

The rivet holes along the longitudinal top row of the outer skin of the fuselage over a two-bay length are considered as the independent structural unit for the simulated multiple-site fatigue cracks. Models of multiple-site fatigue cracks are proposed. The models are divided into several phases with some uncertain parameters. These phases are incorporated sequentially into a computer code with the Monte Carlo simulation method. The Bayesian estimation of uncertain parameters in the model can be identified on visual inspections by the Bayesian procedure from in-service inspection data measuring crack lengths of each rivet hole. In summary, this study evaluates effects of differences in the simulation models for the crack coalescence and failure phase for the distribution of inspection data measuring crack lengths with the Bayesian estimation of uncertain parameters from simulated in-service inspection data.     

Fatigue life prediction model for riveted lap joints

Applicability of currently available approaches to predict the fatigue life of riveted joints in aircraft structures is limited to cases when the actual joint, for which the predictions are made, and the reference joint, for which the prediction model has been tuned, differ only in the geometry. It is required that the riveting process should be similar for the actual and reference case, but the similarity criterion cannot be formulated in a precise way. In the prediction model developed by the authors and presented in this paper the influence of riveting on the fatigue life of a joint is unambiguously characterized by measurable quantities, namely rivet hole expansion and the load transfer distribution. Hence, the similarity of the riveting processes for the reference and actual joint is no longer required, which considerably extends the transferability of the reference results. A validation of the model is performed by comparing fatigue lives computed and observed in over 80 fatigue tests on aluminium alloy, lap joint specimens with three rivet rows, typical for aircraft fuselage skin connections in the longitudinal direction. Various combinations of production variables, such as sheet material and thickness, the squeeze stress and rivet type, were involved. A significant improvement in the present model prediction accuracy compared to a model which disregards the effect of riveting has been noted. Specifically, underestimates or overestimates of the fatigue life observed for the latter model in the case when hole expansion of the actual joint is larger or smaller respectively than for the reference joint are avoided with the present approach.     

Fatigue crack growth and life prediction of a single interference fitted holed plate

To understand the different aspects of fatigue behaviour of complex structural joints it will be much helpful if the effects of different parameters are studied separately. In this article, to study the isolated effect of interference fit on fatigue life a pined hole specimen is investigated. This specimen is a single‐holed plate with an oversized pin which force fitted to the hole. The investigation was carried out both experimentally and numerically. In the experimental part, interference fitted specimens along with open hole specimens were fatigue tested to study the experimental effect of the interference fit. In the numerical part, three‐dimensional finite element (FE) simulations have been performed in order to obtain the created stresses due to interference fit and subsequent applied longitudinal load at the holed plate. The stress distribution obtained from FE simulation around the hole was used to predict crack initiation life using Smith–Watson–Topper method and fatigue crack growth life using the NASGRO equation with applying the AFGROW computer code. The predicted fatigue life obtained from the numerical methods show a good agreement with the experimental fatigue life.     

Effect of detail design on fatigue performance of fastener hole

In the present study, a series of tests were conducted on aluminum alloy 2024 to investigate the effect of detail design on the fatigue behavior of fastener holes in specimens. Two types of detail designs were concerned. One was the mode of fastener holes (countersunk rivet or countersunk bolt), the other was drilling process (traditional air-drilling process or one step compound cutting process). The fracture surfaces were observed by means of an optical microscope. Finite element method (FEM) was employed to analyze the distribution of stress around the fastener holes. The results showed that crack always initiated at the hole edge where the stress concentration occurred. Crack initiation was induced by stress concentration. Crack initiation life accounted for 80% of total fatigue life of fastener holes. The fatigue life of fastener hole using countersunk rivet was longer than that using countersunk bolt. Contrasted to traditional air-drilling process, the fatigue life of fastener hole could be improved by 44–55% using one step compound cutting process. However, the dispersibility of fatigue life became increasingly severe when fatigue life was prolonged.     

Effect of hole lubrication on the fretting fatigue life of double shear lap joints: An experimental and numerical study

In this research the affect that lubrication at a hole and pin connection has on the fatigue life of a double shear lap joint is studied both experimentally and numerically. The study focuses on the joint middle plate item, which is connected via a central hole to the outer plates by means of a clearance fitting pin, thereby placing the hole in double shear. In the experimental work three identical batches of fatigue specimens, which are made from aluminum alloy 2024-T3, were fatigue tested. In the first batch the surface of the fastener hole was not lubricated whilst the hole in the other two batches was lubricated – each batch using a different lubricant. The three batches of double shear lap joint specimens were fatigue tested and their S–N curves established. The results show that the specimens in which the holes were lubricated have better fatigue lives than the non-lubricated hole specimens. In the numerical study, FE simulations were performed to include hole lubrication effect on the stress distribution by using different friction coefficient at the interface of the hole and its fastener (pin). The FE results have helped to gain an understanding of the reasons for fatigue life improvement and also have helped to quantify the level of improvement.     

Assessing the effects of riveting induced residual stresses on fatigue crack behaviour in lap joints by means of fractography

The interference fit provided by solid rivets induces a residual stress field beneficial to the fatigue performance of riveted lap joints. Attributing benefits in crack growth nucleation and growth behaviour within this residual stress field is non-trivial. Once fatigue cracks become visible on the surface of a joint they have already grown beyond the region of beneficial residual stress. In order to circumvent this problem, fractographic techniques were employed to evaluate postmortem the influence of the rivet squeeze force and resulting residual stress field on crack behaviour. Results demonstrated that within the range of rivet squeeze forces studied, a 3-fold reduction in crack growth rate is achievable at high rivet squeeze forces, representing a marked improvement in damage tolerance of the joint.     

Two‐stage fatigue life evaluation of an aircraft fuselage panel with a bulging circumferential crack and a broken stringer

The article presents two‐stage fatigue life evaluation of a stiffened aluminium aircraft fuselage panel, subject to ground–air–ground pressure cycles, with a bulging circumferential crack and a broken stringer. As a worst‐case scenario, it is assumed that double cracks start at the edge of a rivet hole both in the skin and in the stringer simultaneously. In the first stage, fatigue crack growth analysis is performed until the stringer is completely broken with the crack on the fuselage skin propagating. After the stringer is completely broken, the effect of bulging crack on the fatigue life of the panel is investigated utilizing the stress intensity factors determined by the three‐dimensional finite element analyses of the fuselage panel with the broken stringer. It is concluded that bulging of the skin due to the internal pressure can have significant effect on the stress intensity factor, resulting in fast crack propagation after the stringer is completely broken.     

Modeling the effects of prior exfoliation corrosion on fatigue life of aircraft wing skins

This paper presents a preliminary analytical model, which was developed to evaluate the effects of prior exfoliation corrosion on the residual fatigue life of wing skins. A literature review was completed on the effects of exfoliation corrosion and fatigue interaction and the most significant conclusions are presented in this paper. A number of coupons with fasteners were cut from naturally exfoliated upper wing skins fabricated from 7178-T6 alloy, and the maximum depth of exfoliation corrosion was determined using an ultrasonic inspection technique. These coupons were tested to failure using constant amplitude compression dominated loading and the fracture surfaces were examined to determine the cracking mechanisms. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model associated with a ‘soft inclusion’ technique was developed to determine the local stress/strain distribution around the exfoliated fastener hole. The model included the local geometry change due to material loss, the contact effects between the fastener and the wing skin as well as the predominately compressive loading. It was found that the local stress around the cracking sites did not increase significantly with the current levels of exfoliation. A life prediction was then carried out based on the 3D FE and soft inclusion model, and the prediction agreed reasonably with the test.     

Experimental and numerical investigations on fatigue behavior of aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 single lap four-bolted joints

The fatigue behavior of aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 single lap four-bolted joints was studied by high-frequency fatigue test and finite element (FE) methods. The fatigue test results showed that a better enhancement of fatigue life was achieved for the joints with high-locked bolts by employing the combinations of cold expansion, interference fit, and clamping force. The fractography revealed that fatigue cracks propagated tortuously; more fatigue micro-cliffs, tearing ridges, lamellar structure were observed, and fatigue striation spacing was simultaneously reduced. The evaluation of residual stress conducted by FE methods confirmed the experimental results and locations of fatigue crack initiation. The extension of fatigue lives can be attributed to the evolution of fatigue damage and effect of beneficial compressive residual stresses around the hole, resulting in the delay of crack initiation, crack deflection, and plasticity-induced crack closure.     

A Comparative Study of Friction Self-Piercing Riveting and Self-Piercing Riveting of Aluminum Alloy AA5182-O

In this paper, self-piercing riveting (SPR) and friction self-piercing riveting (F-SPR) processes were employed to join aluminum alloy AA5182-O sheets. Parallel studies were carried out to compare the two processes in terms of joint macrogeometry, tooling force, microhardness, quasi-static mechanical performance, and fatigue behavior. The results indicate that the F-SPR process formed both rivet–sheet interlocking and sheet–sheet solid-state bonding, whereas the SPR process only contained rivet–sheet interlocking. For the same rivet flaring, the F-SPR process required 63% less tooling force than the SPR process because of the softening effect of frictional heat and the lower rivet hardness of F-SPR. The decrease in the switch depth of the F-SPR resulted in more hardening of the aluminum alloy surrounding the rivet. The higher hardness of aluminum and formation of solid-state bonding enhanced the F-SPR joint stiffness under lap-shear loading, which contributed to the higher quasi-static lap-shear strength and longer fatigue life compared to those of the SPR joints.     

TA1钛合金单搭自冲铆接头微动磨损机理

对TA1钛合金单搭自冲铆接头进行疲劳实验研究接头失效形式;用扫描电子显微镜和X射线能谱线扫描研究铆钉各部位微动磨损程度的差异和接头微动磨损机理;采用威布尔分布验证数据有效性.结果表明:接头疲劳失效形式主要为上板断裂,高周疲劳均为上板断裂,低周疲劳为上下板混合断裂;微动磨屑包含氧、钛、锌和锡元素,铆钉头部微动磨损程度高于铆钉腿部.微动磨损区出现严重脱层、微动磨屑堆积和微裂纹萌生等现象,随着微动磨损及剪切力共同作用导致接头断口部位出现大量微裂纹并逐步沿深度和宽度方向扩展为宏观裂纹,最终导致接头疲劳失效.     

On propagation of short rolling contact fatigue cracks

Recent accidents involving railway rails have aroused demand for improved and more efficient rail maintenance strategies to reduce the risk of unexpected rail fracture. Numerical tools can aid in generating maintenance strategies: this investigation deals with the numerical modelling and analysis of short crack growth in rails. Factors that influence the fatigue propagation of short surface‐breaking cracks (head checks) in rails are assessed. A proposed numerical procedure incorporates finite element (FE) calculations to predict short crack growth conditions for rolling contact fatigue (RCF) loading. A parameterised FE model for the rolling‐sliding contact of a cylinder on a semi‐infinite half space, with a short surface breaking crack, presented here, is used in linear‐elastic and elastic–plastic FE calculations of short crack propagation, together with fracture mechanics theory. The crack length and orientation, crack face friction, and coefficient of surface friction near the contact load are varied. The FE model is verified for five examples in the literature. Comparison of results from linear‐elastic and elastic–plastic FE calculations, shows that the former cannot describe short RCF crack behaviour properly, in particular 0.1–0.2 mm long (head check) cracks with a shallow angle; elastic–plastic analysis is required instead.     

The effect of hole shape on the extent of fatigue life improvement by cold expansions

The cold expansion of circular holes is known to improve resistance to fatigue. In this study the effect of the cold expansion of a circular hole on fatigue life by means of a quasi-elliptical pin was investigated. Additional evaluations were conducted, including determinations of the effects of crack propagation from the hole. The major life extension was obtained through slower crack growth in the short-crack stage. The decrease in fatigue crack growth in cold-expanded specimens was related to higher crack-opening stresses which are a consequence of the presence of compressive residual stresses arising from cold expansion. In this study, an experimental investigation was carried out to quantify the effect of the cold expansion on the initiation and the propagation of the fatigue crack and was discussed. Fatigue life improvement of the cold-worked hole specimen was explained by determining the hardness results around the cold-worked hole. The results indicate that significant life improvements can be obtained through cold expansion applied with a quasi-elliptical pin in this work with the optimum results being obtained when the pin diameter is 4% larger than the diameter of the specimen hole. Also, a brief examination of the effect of the rivet shape on the fatigue life of a riveted specimen was carried out. To lengthen the fatigue life of a riveted plate which uses countersunk head rivets, the shape of the countersink and the rivet head were improved. The experimental results showed that the fatigue life of the riveted plate was improved where the improved rivet was used.     

Numerical simulation of residual stress relaxation around a cold‐expanded fastener hole under longitudinal cyclic loading using different kinematic hardening models

Cold expansion of fastener holes creates compressive residual stresses around the hole. This well‐known technique improves fatigue life by reducing tensile stress around the holes. However, cyclic loading causes these compressive residual stresses to relax, thus reducing their beneficial effect. Estimation of the fatigue life without considering the residual stress relaxation might lead to inaccurate results. In this research, numerical studies were carried out using 2D finite element (FE) models to determine the initial tangential and radial residual stress distributions generated by cold expansion and their relaxation under cyclic loading. To predict the stress relaxation, four nonlinear kinematic hardening models were applied in simulation of stress/strain path. The results obtained from the FE analysis were compared with available experimental results. A good agreement between the numerical and experimental results was observed.     

Life prediction of titanium and aluminum alloys under fretting fatigue conditions using various crack propagation criteria. Part 2. Application of the technique to cylindrical specimens with semi-elliptical crack and account of the residual stresses

In order to simulate the operating fretting-fatigue conditions in cylindrical structural components, we have performed experimental studies on fretting fatigue of cylindrical specimens with clamped concave cylindrical pads of bridge type. Using the known solutions for stress intensity factors in the semi-elliptical cracks growing in cylindrical specimens, we predict the kinetics of propagation of fretting-fatigue cracks according to the two-parameter model described in Part 1. A close correlation of calculated and experimental fretting-fatigue life values is observed for AMg6N alloy for varied experimental fretting conditions (contact load, slip amplitude and friction coefficient). For alloy VT9 we have provided approbation of the technique, which takes into account distribution of the residual stresses in the material subsurface during calculation of stress-strain state and life under fretting-fatigue conditions.     

Fatigue strength reduction factors at rivet holes for aircraft fuselage lap joints

Fatigue test results to be utilized in a fatigue life prediction model for aircraft fuselage riveted lap joints are presented. A series of fatigue tests on aluminium alloy sheet coupons with an open hole and filled hole subjected to remote tension, pin loading and out-of-plane bending have been carried out. Such loading conditions were conceived to replicate local effects of the bypass load, transfer load and secondary bending respectively at the critical rivet row. It was shown that the fatigue response of the open hole specimens could be predicted with a satisfactory accuracy employing the Neuber fatigue notch factor. For the filled hole specimens considerably longer fatigue lives were observed than for the open hole specimens under the same type of loading; however, a reduction of the notch effect due to the hole filling was found to depend on the type of loading, interference magnitude and applied load level. A concept of utilizing the obtained results to quantitatively account in the fatigue life prediction model for filling the hole by the rivet shank, in addition to geometry parameters, is presented. Finally, consideration is given to load transmission by frictional forces and its implication for the fatigue properties of riveted lap joints.     

含多处损伤宽板螺接搭接件疲劳寿命研究

对含多处损伤（Multiple Side Damage,MSD）宽板搭接件做了等幅疲劳试验和断口分析,得到搭接件的疲劳寿命和孔边MSD裂纹的形成特点、裂纹前沿形状及扩展历程。结果表明,搭接件的疲劳破坏具有一定的隐蔽性,其疲劳寿命的绝大部分消耗在螺栓头下裂纹扩展阶段,当孔间裂纹出现首次连通时,搭接件剩余寿命约为总寿命的0.7%~9.4%。基于有限元软件FRANC2D/L和裂纹扩展分析软件AFGROW,建立了考虑钉载、第二弯矩和孔间裂纹干涉等影响因素的含MSD宽板搭接件疲劳寿命计算模型,并对孔边多裂纹的扩展寿命进行了计算分析。计算结果与试验结果的对比表明,该文所建寿命计算模型具有一定的精度,能满足工程需要,计算结果和结论可作为该类结构损伤容限设计的参考依据。     

Analytical and numerical modelling of plasticity-induced crack closure in cold-expanded holes

The aim of this research was the development of an analytical model for plasticity-induced fatigue crack closure for cold expanded holes. This paper extends Nowell's plane stress model of plasticity-induced crack closure for a plate with a circular hole and two radial symmetric cracks. The possibility of existence of an initial residual stress field is also taken into account. This model has potential to be applied to other cracked geometries and arbitrary residual stress fields, although the paper is focused on the study of cold-expanded holes. Hole cold-expansion is widely used in aircraft industry, for improving the fatigue performance of rivet holes by delaying fatigue crack propagation. This paper shows that the residual stress field due to cold-expansion has a strong influence on the closure behaviour and therefore on fatigue crack propagation. The analytical model developed, was compared with finite element analyses of plasticity-induced crack closure with and without residual stresses. Finally, the model was used to predict fatigue lives for some experiments recently reported in the literature for fatigue crack propagation from cold-expanded holes. Predicted fatigue lives correlate well with experimental data.     

Fracture analysis of multi-site cracking in fuselage lap joints

A two-dimensional plane stress elastic fracture mechanics analysis of a cracked lap joint fastened by rigid pins is presented and results are applied to the problem of multi-site damage (MSD) in riveted lap joints of aircraft fuselage skins. Two problems are addressed, the problem of equal length MSD cracks and the problem of alternating length MSD cracks. For the problem of equal length cracks, two models of rivet/skin interactions are studied and the role of residual stresses due to the riveting process is explored. Stress intensity factors are obtained as a function of normalized crack length. Also, the load distribution among rivet rows and the compliance change of the joint due to MSD cracking are obtained. For the problem of alternating length cracks, attention is focussed on how load is distributed between columns of rivets and how this load shedding can alter crack tip stress intensity factors. The equal and alternating length crack analyses reveal no clear-cut mechanism to explain the relative uniformity of fatigue cracks emerging from lap joint rivet holes in actual aircraft and in mechanical lap joint tests.