Effect of the countersunk rivet head dimensions on fatigue behavior of riveted specimens of 2024-T3 alloy

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of countersunk rivet head dimensions on the fatigue performance of the riveted specimens of 2024-T3 alloy. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between rivet head dimensions and fatigue behavior was investigated by finite element method and fatigue test. The fatigue fracture of the specimens was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Findings A change of the rivet head dimensions will cause a change in the stress concentration and residual normal stress, the stress concentration near the rivet hole causes the fatigue crack source to be located on the straight section of the countersunk rivet hole and the residual normal stress can effectively restrain the initiation and expansion of fatigue cracks. The fatigue cycle will cause the rivet holes to produce different degrees of surface wear. Originality/value The fatigue life of the specimens with the height of the rivet head of 2.28 mm and 2.00 mm are similar, but the specimens with the height of the rivet head of 1.72 mm were far higher than the other specimens.