Deign of riveted joints Deign of riveted joints

A riveted joint is a permanent joint

with mainly two components (parts
to be joined) which are held
together by a rivet with the head at
top and tail at the bottom.

Rivet material
Rivet is made up of wrought iron or soft steel due to
lower hardness which is necessary to have easy
deformation during riveting.
•Sometimes copper, aluminum are used in corrosive
environment. Only material requirements are ductility,
toughness and hardness.
•IS-2100-1962 gives the steel rivet specifications
which are used in boilers.

Types of riveted joints Types of riveted joints

• There are mainly two types
of riveted joints, based on
the rivet arrangement-
1. Lap joints
2. Butt joints
Both joints are also sub-
classified into single riveted
and double riveted.
Sometimes based on joints
strengths, triple-riveted are
also possible. Single riveted
means one row of the rivet in
joint.
Advantages of riveted joints:
• Cheaper fabrication cost Modes of failure of riveted joints
• Low maintenance cost
• Dissimilar metals can also be joined, even non-metallic joints are possible with
riveted joints. A riveted joint may fail in the following ways:
• Ease of riveting process. • Tearing of a plate at an edge.
Disadvantages of riveted joints:
• Skilled workers required • Tearing of plates across a row of rivets.
• Leakage may be a problem for this type of joints, but this is overcome by special • Shearing of rivets
techniques.
Applications of riveted joints: • Bearing or crushing of rivets/plates.
• Boiler shells
• Structures members and bridges parts
• Railway wagons and coaches
• Buses and trucks

Tearing of a plate at an edge. Tearing of plates across a row of rivets

• The strength of the plate is
reduced due to the presence of
rivet hole. The plate or cover
• This type of failure occurs due to plates may tear off across a row
insufficient margin (i.e.distance or line of rivets, as shown. This is
from the centre of the rivet to due to large value of tensile
stress acting on the row of
the edge of the plate), as shown weaker holes.
here. • Considering one pitch length, the
tearing strength or tearing
• The failure can be avoided by resistance of a unit strip of plate
keeping margin value as along its weakest section is given
as:
m = 1.5d, where d is the diameter Pt = st At
of rivet. (Eq. 5.16/ Page 83)
Pt = (p-d) t st (Eq. 5.6b/ Page 80)
 • Shearing resistance per pitch length,
Ps= t AS
Shearing of rivets Ps= t
π 𝑑2
4
, for single shear
π𝑑 2
Ps= t 2( ) , for double shear
• Here the rivets fail due to shearing if they are unable to resist the 4
π 𝑑2
tensile force. Rivets are in single shear in lap joints and single cover in Ps= 1.875 t , for double shear –according to Indian boiler
4
butt joint. Rivets are in double shear in double strap butt joints regulations (Eq. 5.6c/ Page 80)
If there are n1 rivets in single shear, then
π 𝑑2
Ps= n₁ t , for single shear
4
If there are n2 rivets in double shear, then
π 𝑑2
Ps= n2 [1.875 t ]
4
The general expression for shearing resistance of all the rivets in unit strip is
π 𝑑2
Single shear in lap joint Double shear in butt joint Ps= (n₁ +1.875n₂) t (Eq. 5.6(d)/ Page 80
4

The crushing resistance of the rivet per pitch length,

Crushing or bearing of rivets or plates Pc = sc Ac = sc dt
If there are n number of rivets in a pitch length, then
• Due to rivet being compressed Pc = n d t sc
against the inner surface of the The general expression for crushing resistance of all the rivets
hole, there is a possibility that Pc = (n1ti + n₂t) d sc (Eq. 5.6(e)/ Page 80
either the rivet or the hole surface
may be crushed. Due to this, the
where ti = thickness of the inner cover plate
rivet hole becomes of an oval shape
and hence the joint becomes loose t = thickness of main plate
as shown. The area, which resists n₁ = number of rivets in single shear
this action, is the projected area of n₂ = number of rivets in double shear
hole or rivet on diametral plane sc = compressive stress
and is given as Ac = dt.
Efficiency of Riveted Joint
• The efficiency of a riveted joint is defined as the ratio of the strength Pt
of riveted joint to the strength of the solid plate. • tearing efficiency , ht = (Eq. 5.6(a) and 5.6(b)/ Page 80
P
strength of riveted joint
• Efficiency, h =
strength of the solid plate Ps
• Shearing or rivet efficiency , hs = (Eq. 5.6(d) and 5.6(a)/ Page 80
Where strength of riveted joint is the least value of Pt , Ps , Pc P
Strength of solid plate P = p t st (Eq. 5.6(a)/ Page 80 Pc
least value of Pt , Ps , Pc • crushing efficiency , hc = (Eq. 5.6(e)/ Page 80
h= P
P

DESIGN OF BOILER JOINTS

• A cylindrical pressure vessel has two dimensions-the length and the
diameter. The cylindrical sections are obtained by bending the sheets and
joining the edges by a riveted joint. These sections are then joined together
by another riveted joint along circumference.
• There are two types of joints: Longitudinal and circumferential.
• A longitudinal joint is used to join the Assumptions in Designing Boiler Joints
ends of the plate to get the required
diameter of a boiler. For this
purpose, a triple riveted butt joint • Load is assumed to be uniformly distributed among all the rivets.
with two cover plates are used.
• Stress in plate is assumed to be uniform.
• Shear stress is assumed to be uniformly distributed over the gross
area of rivets.
• Bearing stress is assumed to be uniform between the contact surfaces
• A circumferential joint is used to get of plate and rivet.
the required length of the boiler. For • Bending stress in rivet is neglected.
this purpose, a lap joint with one ring
overlapping the other alternately is • Rivet hole is assumed to be completely filled by the rivet.
used. • Friction between plates is neglected.

STRUCTURAL JOINTS OR TIES

STRUCTURAL JOINTS OR TIES
Diamond or lozenge joints are used for
connecting bridges, girders, tie bars, etc. 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
as we proceed towards inner row, as shown for
equal cover butt joints. This arrangement of
rivets gives uniform strength to the structure.

b=width of plate
t = thickness of plate
d = diameter of rivet hole
F = force applied on the joint
n = number of rivets
Different options for diamond or lozenge joint
 𝑃𝑡
Number of rivets, n =
𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑐

Pitch (p): This is the distance between two centers 1. A double riveted lap joint is made between 16 mm thick plates. The rivet diameter
of the consecutive rivets in a single row. and pitch are 20 mm and 80 mm respectively. If the permissible stresses are 80 MPa
Transverse or back pitch (pt): This is the shortest in tension, 60 MPa in shear and 120 MPa in crushing, find the minimum force per
distance between two successive rows in a multiple pitch which will rupture the joint.
riveted joint.

Diagonal pitch (pd): This is the distance between the

centers of rivets in adjacent rows of zig-zag riveted
joint.
Margin or marginal pitch (m): This is the distance
between the centre of the rivet hole to the nearest
edge of the plate.

Chain riveting: Here the rivets in the various

rows are opposite to each other.

Zig-zag riveting: Here the rivets in the adjacent

rows are staggered in such a way that every rivet is
in the middle of the two rivets of the opposite row.
2. A double riveted double cover butt joint with plates 20 mm thick is made with 25
mm diameter rivets at 100 mm pitch. The permissible stresses are, st = 120 MPa,
DESIGN OF BOILER JOINTS
t = 100 MPa and tc = 150 MPa. Find the efficiency of the joint taking the strength of Longitudinal Butt joint
the rivet in double shear as twice that of single shear.
• A 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.

Circumferential Lap joint

• A 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.

Design procedure for longitudinal butt joint The diameter of rivet hole (d) must be rounded off to the nearest
standard value with the help of the following table and the
corresponding diameter of rivet (d1) is noted.
1. Type of joint: Select the type of joint from Table 5.2/ Page 84, based
on the diameter of the shell, if not given.
2. Thickness of boiler shell: The thickness of the boiler shell is
determined, by using thin cylinder formula Eq.5.1/page79
Value of thickness to be standardized using Table 5.3(c)/ Pg 85
Note:- this table is not available in data book of Mahadevan,
3. Diameter of rivet hole and rivet: but available in the data book of Lingaiah
If the thickness is more than 8 mm (t> 8 mm), the diameter of the rivet From the above table, we observe that
hole is obtained from Unwin's formula as: d = 6.325√t Eq 5.11(d)/ Pg 81 d=d₁ + 1 mm for 12 mm ≤ d ≤ 24 mm
If t < 8 mm, then the diameter of the rivet hole is obtained by equating d=d₁ + 1.5 mm for 27 mm ≤ d ≤ 36 mm
the shearing resistance of the rivets to crushing resistance as: Ps = Pc d=d₁ + 2 mm for 39 mm ≤ d ≤ 48 mm
The resulting equation for d is given as Eq 5.10(a)/page 81
4. Pitch of the rivets:
5. Transverse pitch (distance between the rows of rivets):
(a). The pitch of the rivets is obtained by equating the shearing resistance
of the rivets to the tearing resistance of the plate as Ps = Pt
The resulting equation for p is given as Eq 5.12(a)/page 81 According to Indian Boiler Regulations:
For a butt joint with equal cover plates, put n₁ = 0 (a). The transverse pitch for equal number of rivets in a row is:
(b). According to IBR, the maximum pitch for a longitudinal joint is
pmax=k1t + 41 mm Eq 5.12(b)/page 81, for value of k1 Table5.4(a)/page 85 1. For Chain riveting Eq 5.14(a)/page 82
2. For Zig-zag riveting Eq 5.14(b)/page 82
Take lower value of p from the above Eqs. (a) and (b) for further Equations 5.14(c), 5.15(d), 5.15(a) and 5,15(b) are also used depending
calculations. upon rows

6. Thickness of cover plate or butt strap: Problems.

According to IBR Two plates 10 mm thick each are to be joined by means of a single
The thickness in no case shall be less than 10 mm. riveted double strap butt joint. Determine the rivet diameter, pitch,
For different conditions of butt strap equations 5.4(a) to 5.4(f) is used strap thickness and efficiency of the joint. Take st = 80 MPa, t = 60 Mpa
7. Margin: Solution:
Margin is calculated as m = 1.5d, Eq 5.16/ Page 83, t = 10 mm, d = ?, p = ?, t1 = to = ?, n = ?, st = 80 MPa, t = 60 MPa.
8. Efficiency: Type of joint: Butt joint-Single riveted double strap/cover=n=1.
P
• tearing efficiency , ht = t (Eq. 5.6(a) and 5.6(b)/ Page 80
P
P Here Number of rivets in single shear, n₁ = 0
• Shearing or rivet efficiency , hs = s (Eq. 5.6(d) and 5.6(a)/ Page 80
• crushing efficiency , hc =
Pc
P
P
(Eq. 5.6(e)/ Page 80
Number of rivets in double shear, n₂ = n = 1
Thickness of main plate, t = 10 mm
} Page 81

least of the above efficiency is to be taken

 2. Pitch of the rivets:
(a). Optimum pitch, p: Eq 5.12(a)/page 81
1. Diameter of rivet hole: p = 69.71mm
From Unwin's formula, for t> 8 mm, we have (b). Maximum pitch: Eq 5.12(b)/page 81
d = 6.325√t= 6.325 √10 = 20 mm Eq 5.11(d)/page 81
pmax = k1t + 41 mm k₁ = 1.75, for a double strap butt joint having one
Thus the standard diameter of rivet hole, d = 21 mm rivet per pitch Table 5.4(a)/ Page 85
and the diameter of rivet, pmax = (1.75 x 10) + 41 = 58.5 mm
d=d₁ + 1 mm, for 12 mm ≤ d ≤ mm
d₁=21-1=20 mm The standard pitch is the lower value from (a) and (b)
Therefore p = 58.5 mm ≈ 60 mm

3. Strap thickness:
For double butt strap of equal width having ordinary riveting
t₁ = to = 0.625t = 0.625 x 10 Eq 5.4(c)/page 80
t₁ = to = 6.25 mm
4. Efficiency: 2. Design a double riveted butt joint with equal widths of cover
Tearing or plate efficiency: Eq 5.9(e)/page 81 plates to join two plates of thickness 10 mm. The allowable stress
𝑝−𝑑 60−20 for the material of the rivets and for the plates are as follows: For
ht = = = 65%
𝑝 60 plate material in tension, st = 80 MPa; for rivet material in
Crushing efficiency : Eq 5.9(f)/page 81 compression, sc = 120 MPa; for rivet material in shear, t = 60 MPa.

hs = 81.18%

Take the least value of efficiency = 65%

Design procedure for Circumferential Lap joint
1. Thickness of boiler shell: The thickness of the boiler shell is The diameter of rivet hole (d) must be rounded off to the nearest
determined, by using thin cylinder formula Eq.5.1/page79 standard value with the help of the following table and the
Value of thickness to be standardized using Table 5.3(c)/ page 85 corresponding diameter of rivet (d1) is noted.
2. Diameter of rivet hole and rivet:
If the thickness is more than 8 mm (t> 8 mm), the diameter of the rivet
hole is obtained from Unwin's formula as: d = 6.325√t Eq 5.11(d)/ Pg 81
If t < 8 mm, then the diameter of the rivet hole is obtained by equating Note:- this table is not available in data book of Mahadevan,
the shearing resistance of the rivets to crushing resistance as: Ps = Pc but available in the data book of Lingaiah

The resulting equation for d is given as Eq 5.10(a)/page 81 From the above table, we observe that
d=d₁ + 1 mm for 12 mm ≤ d ≤ 24 mm
d=d₁ + 1.5 mm for 27 mm ≤ d ≤ 36 mm
d=d₁ + 2 mm for 39 mm ≤ d ≤ 48 mm

3. Number of rivets: 5. Number of rivets per row:

As the circumferential joint is a lap riveted joint, rivets will be in single For a circumferential joint, the number of rivets arranged in a row can
shear. be computed as
𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 (Π 𝐷2 / 4) 𝑝𝑖 Π (𝐷+𝑡)
n = = n’ =
𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑡 (Π 𝑑2 / 4)τ 𝑝
where D = inner diameter of boiler shell, d= diameter of rivet hole 6. Number of rows(z):
4. Pitch The circumferential joint is always a double riveted butt joint, Z=2
(a) The equation for p is given Eq 5.12(a)/page 81 7. Transverse pitch (distance between the rows of rivets)(pt):
For a lap joint, n₂ = 0 For zig-zag or staggered riveting Eq 5.14(b)/page 82
(b). Maximum pitch: Eq 5.12(b)/page 81 8. Overlap: The overlap of the plate is fixed as
pmax = k1t + 41 mm, value of k₁ Table 5.4(a)/ Page 85 overlap = (Z-1)pt + 2m or using type of joint
Take lower value of p from the above Eqs. (a) and (b) for further least value of Pt , Ps , Pc
calculations. 4. Efficiency: h =
P
problem
• Design a double riveted lap joint with zig-zag riveting for 13 mm thick
plates. The working stresses to be used are st = 80 MPa, t = 60 MPa
and sc = 120 Mpa. State how the joint will fail and find the efficiency
of the joint.