Embedment Effect on Eliminating Damage of CFRP Pull-riveting Process by Simulation Study

The rivet joints have been widely applied in aerospace and vehicle fields. During the joining process of the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates, the pre-tightening force of pulling-rivet was the key factor to ensure the connection performance. To predict the impact of clamping loads on stress and failure of laminates, the value of stress and damage evolution of the wall of a hole under the pre-tightening force were simulated by the finite element method. The results of the simulation showed that excessive clamping force led to the damage and failure of CFRP in the hole edge. Connection performance together with progressive failure process and failure modes of CFRP laminates with various pre-tightening forces were investigated. A kind of metal embedded parts embedded in the laminates was designed to reduce the damage by the simulation study. Simulation results showed that embedment reduced the failure and damage efficiently. The embedment reduced about 64% of the maximum stress.