Modeling of Stiffness Anisotropy in Simulation of Self-Piercing Riveted Components

Abstract

The so-called substitute models based on shell elements can be used to design the self-piercing riveted components economically and with sufficient accuracy. In this study, the SPR3 (Self-Piercing Rivet) model with anisotropic stiffness parameters implemented in commercial simulation software LS-DYNA is used to describe the stiffness of self-piercing riveted joints subjected to different loading conditions. The model provides the basis for the subsequent fatigue life estimation of self-piercing riveted joints under cyclic loading. By accurate prediction of the stiffness of self-piercing riveted joints subjected to cyclic loading, the accuracy of the fatigue life estimation can be improved. To identify the stiffness parameters, the self-piercing riveted joints are subjected to loading conditions: axial tension, shear tension, and bending. To validate the model, the specimens are simulated under different loading conditions and the results are compared to the experiments. It is shown that the model with anisotropic stiffness parameters predicts the stiffness of specimens more accurately compared to the model with isotropic stiffness parameter.

Numerical investigation of the clinched joint loadings considering the initial pre-strain in the joining area

“…This is especially important for the determination of the pull-out strength [16]. In [21], a point-connector model is used to describe the stiffnesses of self-piercing rivets under different loading conditions with anisotropic stiffness parameters, which improves the prediction quality significantly. In this paper, a point connector is also used.…”