FEM Modeling of Self-Piercing Riveted Joint

Abstract

The present paper aims at defining a numerical tool for the efficient design of the selfpiercing riveting process by means of FE simulations. Abaqus Explicit v.6.4 software has been used to establish a model for 3D simulation of the joining process and of the shearing test on the riveted joint, in order to understand the joint formation and failure mechanisms. The obtained indications have been validated experimentally through joint sectioning and comparison between real geometry and numerical results. Furthermore, shear tests have been performed to compare the experimental and numerical results in terms of joint resistance.