Effect of Panel Inertia and Stiffness on Rivet Formation Rate during Percussive Riveting

Abstract

Experiments with percussive riveting tools install rivets in surrogate coupons. The validity of the results of these experiments relies on the experiments’ similarity to production. This experiment evaluates the variability of the installation process caused by the dynamic characteristics of the coupon. Rivets were installed in specially machined coupons to evaluate how rivet formation rate and the coupon’s absorption of momentum depend on the coupon’s thickness and on the rivets’ distance from a free or supported edge of the coupon. Thicker coupons were found to reduce the momentum transferred from the rivet to the bucking bar and to reduce the rate of rivet formation.