The following computation shows joint failure analysis in terms of pitch length.

Same principle applies with

a little modification on some equations.
RIVET SHEAR

𝑃 Symbol Definition
𝜏= P load
𝐴𝑠
N Refers to the number of rivets in a
𝜋 given pitch length
𝑃𝑠 = 𝜏𝐴𝑠 = 𝑁 𝑑2𝜏 As Cross sectional area of the rivet
4
shear
𝜏 Allowable shear stress for the rivet
material
d Diameter of rivet

RIVET/PLATE BEARING FAILURE

𝑃𝑏 = 𝑁(𝑑𝑡)𝜎𝑐 Symbol Definition

P load
N Refers to the number of rivets in
a given pitch length
𝜎𝑐 Allowable compressive stress of
the rivet or plate material
d Diameter of rivet
t Thickness of main plate

PLATE TEARING/ RUPTURE OF PLATE BY TENSION

𝑃𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑤 = (𝑝 ― 𝑑)𝑡𝜎𝑡 Symbol Definition

P load
𝜎𝑡 Allowable tensile stress of the
plate material
p Pitch length
d Diameter of rivet
t Thickness of main plate

STRENGTH OF THE JOINT

Strength of the riveted joint is evaluated by taking all possible failure paths in the joint into account, then determining
the largest load that can be safely applied.

EFFICIENCY OF A RIVETED JOINT

The efficiency of riveted joints is the ratio between the minimum strength of the joint against failure by tension, shear
or bearing to that of the members without a joint (or compared to the strength of the solid plate).

𝐽𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝐽𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = (𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ)(𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠)(𝐴𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. A double riveted lap joint is made between 16 mm thick plate. The rivet diameter and pitch are 20 mm and 80 mm
respectively. The permissible stresses are 80 MPa in tension, 60 MPa in shear and 120 Mpa in crushing. Find the
efficiency of the joint.

2. A double riveted lap joint is made between 15 mm thick plates. The rivet diameter and pitch are 25 and 75 mm
respectively. If the ultimate stresses are 400 MPa in tension, 320 MPa in shear and 640 MPa in crushing, find the
minimum force per pitch which will rapture the joint.

If the above joint is subjected to a load such that the factor of safety is 4, find out the actual stresses developed in the
plates and the rivets.

3. Find the efficiency of the following riveted joints:

a. Single riveted lap joint of 6 mm plates with 20 mm diameter of rivets having a pitch of 50 mm.
b. Double riveted lap joint of 6 mm plates with 20 mm diameter rivets having a pitch of 65 mm. Assume:
Permissible tensile stress in plate = 120 MPa
Permissible shearing stress in rivets = 90 MPa
Permissible crushing stress in rivets = 180 Mpa

4. A double riveted double cover butt joint in plates 20 mm thick is made with 25 mm diameter rivets at 100 mm pitch.
The permissible stresses are:
𝜏 = 100 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝜎𝜏 = 120 𝑀𝑝𝑎 𝜎𝑐 = 150 𝑀𝑃𝑎