Riveted Join:-

➢ Rivets are permanent, non-threaded, one-

piece fasteners that join parts together by
fitting through a pre-drilled hole and
deforming the head by mechanically
upsetting from one end.

➢ Rivets are the most widely used mechanical

fasteners especially in aircraft, bridge,
building structures.
➢ Riveting is an operation by which two plates are
joined with the help of a rivet.

➢ A hot rivet is inserted into a hole passing through

two clamped plates to be attached and supported by a
head.

➢ At the same time another head is formed at the tail • Rivet is a short cylindrical rod

end with a die by applying force. having a head and a tapered

tail.
➢ Due to applied force the tail end deforms plastically
to the required shape of head. • The main body of the rivet is
called shank
➢ The rivet completely fills the hole in hot process.

➢ Finally the plates are permanently attached.

➢ The upsetting of the cylindrical portion of the rivet can be done cold or hot.
When diameter of rivet is 12 mm or less, cold upsetting can be done.

➢ For larger diameters the rivet is first heated to light red and inserted. The head
forming immediately follows.

➢ Yet it must be understood that due to subsequent cooling the length reduces and
diameter decreases.

➢ The reduction of length pulls the heads of rivet against plates and makes the
joint slightly stronger.

➢ The reduction of diameter creates clearance between the inside of the hole and
the rivet.

➢ Such decrease in length and diameter does not occur in cold worked rivet.
 Caulking and Fullering in Riveted Joint
➢ In the Riveting methods, it is essential for some applications to make a leak-proof
Riveted joint.

➢ Those applications are Boilers, air receiver tanks, and ship hulls.

➢ In order to achieve a leak-proof joint for such applications, the Caulking and
Fullering processes are employed in Riveted Joint.
Claulking in Riveted Joint

In this process, there a narrow blunt tool called Claulking tool which is about 5mm
thick and 38mm in breadth as shown in the above figure used for this process.

➢ The edge of the tool is ground to an angle of 80°.

➢ The tool is moved after each blow along the edge of the plate, which is planed to a
bevel of 75° to 80° to facilitate the forcing down of edge.
➢ It is seen that the tool burrs down the plate at A in as
shown in the above figure forming a metal-to-metal
joint.

➢ In actual practice, both the edges at A and B are

claulked.

➢ The head of the rivets as shown at C are also turned

down with a caulking tool to make the Riveted joint
steam tight.

➢ A great care is taken to prevent injury to the plate

below the tool.
➢ Fullering process:-

➢ A more satisfactory way of making the joints

staunch is known as fullering which has
largely superseded caulking.

➢ In this case, a fullering tool with a thickness at

the end equal to that of the plate is used.

➢ This Fullering tool is used in such a way that the

greatest pressure due to the blows occur
near the joint, giving a clean finish, with less
risk of damaging the plate.
Riveted joints are mainly of two types:-
1. Lap joints
2. Butt joints
Lap Joints: The plates that are to be joined are brought face to face such that an
overlap exists. Rivets are inserted on the overlapping portion.

➢ Single or multiple rows of rivets are used to give strength to the joint.

➢ Depending upon the number of rows the riveted joints may be classified as
single riveted lap joint, double or triple riveted lap joint etc.

➢ When multiple joints are used, the arrangement of rivets between two
neighboring rows may be of two kinds.

➢ In chain riveting the adjacent rows have rivets in the same transverse line.

➢ In zig-zag riveting, on the other hand, the adjacent rows of rivets are staggered.
Butt Joints In this type of joint, the plates are brought to each other without forming
any overlap.

➢ Riveted joints are formed between each of the plates and one or two cover plates.

➢ Depending upon the number of cover plates the butt joints may be single strap or
double strap butt joints.

➢ Like lap joints, the arrangement of the rivets may be of various kinds, namely, single
row, double or triple chain or zigzag.
Material for rivets :-

The material of the rivets must be tough and ductile.

They are usually made of steel (low carbon steel or nickel steel), brass, aluminium or
copper, but when strength and a fluid tight joint is the main consideration, then the steel
rivets are used.

The rivets for general purposes shall be manufactured from steel conforming to the
following Indian Standards :
(a) IS : 1148–1982 (Reaffirmed 1992) – Specification for hot rolled rivet bars (up to 40
mm diameter) for structural purposes;
(b) IS : 1149–1982 (Reaffirmed 1992) – Specification for high tensile steel rivet bars for
structural purposes. The rivets for boiler work shall be manufactured from material
conforming to IS : 1990 – 1973 (Reaffirmed 1992) – Specification for steel rivets and
stay bars for boilers.
Important terms used in riveted joints:

Pitch: This is the distance between two centers of the consecutive rivets in a
single row. (usual symbol p)
Back Pitch: This is the shortest distance between two successive rows in a
multiple riveted joint. (usual symbol pt or pb )
Diagonal pitch: This is the distance between the centers of rivets in adjacent
rows of zigzag riveted joint. (usual symbol pd )

Margin or marginal pitch: This is the distance between the center of the rivet hole
to the nearest edge of the plate. (usual symbol m)
 Basic failure mechanisms of riveted joints.
(a) Tearing of the plate at edge:-

If the margin is too small, the plate may fail. To prevent failure, a minimum margin of m
= 1.5.d is usually provided.
(b) Tearing of the plate across the row of rivet:-
If the force is too large, the plate may fail in tension along the row.
Tearing strength or tearing resistance Pt :-

𝑭𝒕 = 𝒑 − 𝒅 . 𝒕. 𝑺𝒕
(c) Shearing of rivets per pitch length:-

𝜋 2
𝐹𝑠 = 𝑛1 + 1.875𝑛2 . 𝑑 . 𝑆𝑠
4

Where:-

n1= Numbers of rivet in single shear per pitch length

n2= Numbers of rivet in double shear per pitch length

SS = Permissible shearing strength of rivet material

d= Diameter of rivet hole.

(d) Crushing strength of the plate or rivet:-

Sometimes, the rivets do not actually shear off under the tensile stress, but are
crushed.

Due to this, the rivet hole becomes of an oval shape and hence the joint becomes
loose.

The failure of rivets in such a manner is also known as bearing failure.

The area which resists this action is the projected area of the hole or rivet on
diametral plane.
 𝑭𝑪 = 𝒏. 𝒅. 𝒕. 𝑺𝒄

Where:-

n = Numbers of rivets present per pitch

length n = n1 +n2

SC = Permissible shearing strength of rivet

material

d = Diameter of rivet hole.

When the crushing resistance (Fc) is

greater than the applied load (F) per pitch
length, then this type of failure will occur.
 Boiler Joints
Design of Boiler Joints:-
The boiler has a longitudinal joint as well as circumferential joint.
➢The longitudinal joint is used to join the ends of the plate to get the required
diameter of a boiler.
For this purpose, a butt joint with two cover plates is used.
➢The circumferential joint is used to get the required length of the boiler.
For this purpose, a lap joint with one ring overlapping the other alternately is
used.
Since a boiler is made up of number of rings, therefore the longitudinal joints are
staggered for convenience of connecting rings at places where both longitudinal
and circumferential joints occur.
 Assumptions in Designing Boiler Joints:-
The following assumptions are made while designing a joint for boilers :-
• The load on the joint is equally shared by all the rivets.
•The assumption implies that the shell and plate are rigid and that all the deformation of
the joint takes place in the rivets themselves.
•The tensile stress is equally distributed over the section of metal between the rivets.
•The shearing stress in all the rivets is uniform.
•The crushing stress is uniform.
•There is no bending stress in the rivets.
•The holes into which the rivets are driven do not weaken the member.
•The rivet fills the hole after it is driven.
•The friction between the surfaces of the plate is neglected
Longitudinal Butt Joint for a Boiler:-
➢The plate of the boiler shell is bent to form the ring and the two edges of the plate are
joined by a longitudinal butt joint to create a cylindrical shell.
➢The longitudinal joint makes a ring from the steel plate.
➢The diameter of the shell can increase or decrease by providing numbers of
longitudinal butt joint.
➢This longitudinal joint is usually a double-strap triple-riveted butt joint.
Circumferential lap joint for Boiler:-
➢The circumferential joint is used to get the required length of the boiler shell by connecting
one ring to another.
➢For this purpose, one ring is kept overlapping over the adjacent ring and the two rings
are joined by a circumferential lap joint.
Design of Longitudinal Butt Joint for a Boiler According to Indian Boiler Regulations
(I.B.R), the following procedure should be adopted for the design of longitudinal butt joint for a
boiler.
A. Longitudinal Butt Joint
(i) Select a suitable butt joint:- The section of butt joint primarily depends upon the
diameter of the shell. Refer Table No.9.6. Page No. 9.19
Note:- Generally Triple riveted double strap (unequal) butt joint is adopted for longitudinal butt
joint for boiler shell.
(ii) Select the efficiency of the joint (ηl) from Page No. 9.3
(iii) Sketch the layout of the selected joint.
(iv) Thickness of boiler shell:-
The thickness of the boiler shell is determined by using the thin cylindrical formula:-

Where:-
t = Thickness of the boiler shell,
P = Steam pressure in boiler in N/mm2,
D = Internal diameter of boiler shell in mm,
St = Permissible tensile stress of plate material,
ηl = Efficiency of the longitudinal joint
CA = Corrosion Allowance varies from 1 to 2 mm
Note:-
The thickness of the boiler shell should not be less than 7 mm
There are two popular grades of steel used for boiler shells and boiler rivets. They are
designated as Grade-St 37 BR and Grade - St 42 BR. Their ultimate tensile
strengths are as follows:
Grade Sut (N/mm2 )
St 37 BR 360–440
St 42 BR 410–500

Where:-
fs = Factor of safety.
The factor of safety in boiler applications varies from 4.5 to 4.75. It is safe practice to
assume the factor of safety as 5.
(v) Diameter of rivets (d′ ) :-
The diameter of the rivet hole (d) may be determined by using Unwin's empirical
formula, for thickness of main plate is greater than 8mm. (t > 8mm):-

But if the thickness of plate is less than 8 mm, then the diameter of the rivet hole may be
calculated by equating the shearing resistance of the rivets to crushing resistance per
pitch length.

The standard diameter of the rivet hole (d) to be taken from Table No.9.5, Page No. 9.18
and corresponding rivet diameter (d′) can be selected.
Note:- In no case, the diameter of rivet hole should not be less than the thickness of
the plate, because there will be danger of punch crushing.
(vi) All other dimensions of the rivet:-
➢Select the rivet depending upon the types of head and diameter of rivet (Page No.
9.11, 9.13 and 9.15)
➢Generally Snap head rivet can be selected for the joint.
➢The length of the rivet shank (ls) can be determined from Table No. 9.1, Table No. 9.2
and Table No. 9.3. corresponding to its diameter.
(vii) Pitch of the rivet joint:-
The pitch of the rivets is obtained by equating the tearing resistance of the plate to
the shearing resistance of the rivets per pitch length.
Note:- It may noted that the pitch of the rivets should not be less than 2d, which is
necessary for the formation of head.
The maximum value of the pitch of rivets for a longitudinal joint of a boiler as per I.B.R. is:-
pmax = C × t + 41mm
Where:-
t = Thickness of the shell plate in mm, and C = Constant, (the value of C is to be taken from Table
No. 9.7, Page No. 9.19)
The minimum value of the pitch of rivets for a longitudinal joint of a boiler as per I.B.R. is:-
pmin = (2.25 to 2.5). d
Note:-
•If calculated “p” is less than the “pmin”, then p= pmin
•If calculated “p” is greater than the “pmax”, then p= pmax
•For leak proof joint pitch “p” shall be less than “6d”.
(viii) Distance between the rows of rivets (Transverse pitch “pb”): -
The distance between the rows of rivets as specified by Indian Boiler Regulations is as
follows: - (Refer Page No. 9.4)
(a) For equal number of rivets in more than one row for lap joint or butt joint, the distance
between the rows of rivets (pb) should not be less than 0.33p+0.67d, for zig-zig riveting,
and 2d, for chain riveting.
(b) For joints in which the number of rivets in outer rows is half the number of rivets in
inner rows and if the inner rows are chain riveted, the distance between the outer rows
and the next rows should not be less than 0.33p+0.67or 2d, whichever is greater.
The distance between the rows in which there are full number of rivets shall not be less
than 2d.
(c) For joints in which the number of rivets in outer rows is half the number of rivets in
inner rows and if the inner rows are zig-zig riveted, the distance between the outer rows
and the next rows shall not be less than 0.2p+1.15d.
The distance between the rows in which there are full number of rivets (zig-zag) shall not
be less than 0.165p+0.67d.
Note:- In the above discussion, p is the pitch of the rivets in the outer rows.
(ix) Thickness of butt strap or cover plate:-
According to I.B.R., the thicknesses for butt strap (t1) are as given below:- (Refer Page
No. 9.4)
(a) The thickness of butt strap, in no case, shall be less than 10 mm.
(b) For double cover plate of equal width t1 = 0.625t,
(c) For single cover plate with the outermost row having alternate rivets:-

(d) For double cover plate of equal width with the outermost row having alternate rivets:-
(e) For unequal width of butt straps, the thicknesses of butt strap are:-
t1 = 0.75 t, for wide strap on the inside, and
t2 = 0.625 t, for narrow strap on the outside

(x) Margin:-
Margin (m) is taken as 1.5d.

(xi) Width of cover plate:-

For equal cover plate and narrow cover plate, the width “b1” be calculated from the sketch:-
(xii) Length of rivet shank:-
[Link] analysis of riveted longitudinal butt joint of boiler shell:-

(a) Tensile strength of un-riveted or un-punched plate per pitch length:-

𝑭 = 𝒑. 𝒕. 𝑺𝒕

(b) Tearing strength of perforated plate in the outer row per pitch length:-

𝑭𝒕 = 𝒑 − 𝒅 . 𝒕. 𝑺𝒕
(c) Shearing strength of all rivets per pitch length:-

𝝅 𝟐
𝑭𝒔 = 𝒏𝟏 + 𝟏. 𝟖𝟕𝟓𝒏𝟐 . 𝒅 . 𝑺𝒔
𝟒

Note:-n1 and n2 to be decided from the sketch.

(d) Crushing strength of all rivets per pitch length:-

𝑭𝑪 = 𝒏. 𝒅. 𝒕. 𝑺𝒄

Note:-

The tearing of plate is possible in the inner row if shears or is crushed at the same
time occurs at outer row. That means this type of joint has one more possible mode of
failure which comprises tearing along on inner row accompanied by shearing or
crushing of rivets in all outer rows.
(e) Combine tearing strength of the plate in inner row with shearing/crushing
strength of rivets in outer row:-
i. Combine shearing strength of rivets in outer row and tearing strength of the
plate in the next inner row:-

ii. Combine crushing strength of rivets in outer row and tearing strength of the
plate in the next inner row:-

iii. Combine shearing strength of rivets in outer rows and tearing strength of the
plate in the next inner row: -

iv. Combine crushing strength of rivets in outer rows and tearing strength of the
plate in the next inner row: -
(xiv) Efficiency of the longitudinal butt joint of boiler shell (ηl):-

𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕 𝒙𝒊𝒊𝒊, 𝒃 𝒕𝒐 𝒆

𝛈𝒍 =
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 (𝒙𝒊𝒊𝒊, 𝒂)

B. Design of Circumferential lap joint for boiler shell:-

(i) Following dimensions of joint are to be calculated by adopting same procedure

as discussed in longitudinal butt joint for boiler shell.
(a)Diameter for rivet “ (d′) ” and rivet hole “(d)”
(b)Thickness of plate “(t)”.
(ii) Total numbers of rivet required for the joint (n′):-

By equating the shearing strength of all rivets to applied load:-

′
𝜋 2 𝜋 2
𝑛 × 𝑑 × 𝑆𝑠 = 𝑃 × 𝐷
4 4
2
′
𝑃 𝐷
𝑛 = ×
𝑆𝑠 𝑑
(iii) Pitch of Circumferential lap joint (p′):-
Pitch of Circumferential lap joint (p′) is calculated from the tearing efficiency of the lap
joint (ηc):-

𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒑 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
𝜼𝒄 =
𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉

𝒑′ − 𝒅 . 𝐭. 𝑺𝒕 𝒑′ − 𝒅
= ′
=
𝒑 . 𝒕. 𝑺𝒕 𝒑′
The value of ηc be taken from Page No. 9.7.
(iv) Numbers of rivet per row (nr):-

𝝅 𝑫+𝒕
𝒏𝒓 =
𝒑′
It should be whole number.
(v) Numbers of row in the joint (rn):-

𝒏′
𝒓𝒏 =
𝒏𝒓
It should be whole number.
Note:- Take appropriate numbers of the rows (rn) and recalculate number of
rivet per row (nr) from the above equation:-

𝒏′
𝒓𝒏 =
𝒏𝒓
After re-calculating the number of rivet per row (nr), new pitch (p′) can be
determined by using above equation:-

𝝅 𝑫+𝒕
𝒏𝒓 =
𝒑′
(vi) Recalculation of efficiency of the circumferential lap joint of boiler
shell (ηc):-

𝒑′ − 𝒅
𝜼𝒄 = ′
× 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒑
RIVETED JOINTS IN STRUCTURES
➢For trusses, bridges or girders. etc. where the width of the plates is known in advance
lozenge type or diamond shaped joints are preferred.
➢These joints have uniform or equal strengths in all modes of failure.
➢Marginal adjustments in calculated dimensions may slightly reduce or increase strength
in any particular mode.
➢The joints are usually of double cover butt type with rivets so arranged that there is only
one rivet in the outermost row and their number increases towards inner row.
➢For butt joint equal width cover plates are used.
➢Numbers of rivet must be taken with their corresponding series from table 9.10.
➢For lap joint, the strength of the joint is being calculated by taking all rivets present in
the joint into consideration.
➢For butt joint, the strength of the joint is being calculated by taking all rivets present on
one of the main plate into consideration.
Calculation of width of the plate:-
➢If thickness of the plate is given, then width of the plate can be calculated by equating
tearing of plate at outer row to applied load.
➢If thickness of the plate is not given but width of plate is known, then the thickness of
the plate is calculated by equating strength of unriveted plate to applied load.
➢Since the plate width is known in advance, its strength in tension can be determined.
Design analysis:-
i. Thickness of the plate (t):-
ii. Diameter of the of the rivet (d′):- Same as longitudinal butt joint.
iii. Width of the plate (b):-
iv. Thickness of the cover plate :-
For single cover plate:-
t1 = 1.125 t
For double cover plate:-
t1 = t2= 0.625 t
v. Numbers of rivet required for the joint:-
a. Tearing strength of plate along the outer row:-
b. Shearing strength of rivet at the outer row :-

c. Crushing strength of rivet at the outer row:-

vi. Numbers of rivet required for the joint (n):-

The standard numbers of rivet must be taken with their corresponding series from table
9.10.
vii. Layout of the joint:-
viii. Margin (m):-
ix. m= 1.5 d
x. Pitch of the riveted joint (p) :-

Where n′′ = Numbers of rivet present in a row where it is maximum.

xi. Back pitch (pb) :- pb ≥ 2d
xii. Strength of riveted joint in different mode:-
a. Shearing strength of all rivets :-

b. Crushing strength of all rivets :-

Where n= n1 + n2
c. Tearing strength of plate along each individual row:-
1. Tearing strength of plate along row 1-1 :-

2. Tearing strength of plate along row 2-2 :-

F′t2 = Tearing strength of plate along row 2-2 + Shearing strength of rivets along row 1-1
3. Tearing strength of plate along row 2-2 :-
F′t2 = Tearing strength of plate along row 2-2 + Crushing strength of rivets along row 1-1
4. Tearing strength of plate along row 3-3 :-
F′t3 = Tearing strength of plate along row 3-3 + Shearing strength of rivets along row 1-1 and
row 2-2
5. Tearing strength of plate along row 3-3 :-
F′t3 = Tearing strength of plate along row 2-2 + Crushing strength of rivets along row 1-1 and
row 2-2
xii. Strength of un-riveted plate:-

xiii. Efficiency of the joint :-

Eccentric loaded riveted joint
➢An eccentric loaded riveted joint is a joint where the line of application of the load does
not pass through the center of gravity (c.g) of the rivets. T
➢It passes away from c.g axis.
➢This means that all rivets are not equally loaded.
➢This has two effects, primary/direct load and secondary load.
➢Consider, a bracket, which carries a vertical load. The bracket, in this case, is connected
to the wall by four rivets as shown in figure.
➢The force, in addition to inducing direct shear of magnitude (applied force / numbers of
rivet) in each rivet, causes the whole assembly to rotate.
➢Hence additional shear forces appear in the rivets.
➢Once again, the problem is a statically indeterminate one and additional assumptions are
required.
These are as following:
(i) Magnitude of additional shear force is proportional to the distance between the rivet
centre and the centroid of the rivet assembly,
(ii) Directions of the force is perpendicular to the line joining centroid of the rivet group and
the rivet center and the sense is governed by the rotation of the bracket.
Design analysis:-
i. Sketch the layout of the joint and named all the rivets as 1,2,3, ………
ii. Numbers of rivet present in the joint (n):-
From the layout of the joint, determine numbers of rivet present in the joint.
iii. Locate C.G of the riveted system.

iv. Determination of primary shear forces :-

The direction of primary shear force is parallel to the direction of applied load. Mark the
primary shear force on individual rivets on the layout.
v. Determination of secondary shear forces :-
a) The secondary shear forces are perpendicular to the line connecting C.G of the riveted
system and centre of individual rivets.
b) The direction of secondary shear forces are such that, they produce same direction of
moment about C.G that produce by applied load.
c) Mark the secondary shear force on individual rivets on the layout.
d) Determination of magnitude of secondary shear force :-
e) Determine eccentricity (e):-
f) From the geometry determine eccentricity (e)= Distance between C.G of the riveted
system from line of action of applied load.
g) Determine distance of centre of individual rivet from C.G of the riveted system (l1, l2, l3,
…….)

From the geometry determine l1, l2, l3, ……

h) On applying the assumption that the Magnitude of additional shear force is proportional
to the distance between the rivet centre and the centroid of the rivet assembly
Under equilibrium :-
vii. Determine the angles between Fpi and Fsi (θi):- (From geometry)
viii. Determine the resultant shear force acting on individual rivets(FSRi):-

ix. Demeter of the rivet (d′):-

The diameter of rivet hole (d) can be determined by equating the shearing strength of rivet to
Maximum resultant shear stress induced in the rivet.