Damage behavior assessment of CFRP/CFRP gasket-riveted joints by simulation method

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are widely used in aircraft structures; however, the riveting damage can occur in composite laminate. In this paper, a finite element model considering four typical failure modes were established to understand riveting damage behaviors of CFRP gasket-riveted joints. The four riveting damage modes without considering delamination failure and riveting damage progress were characterized in detail, and the influences of the gasket material and the gasket inner diameter on riveting damage behaviors were accessed. Results showed that the stress around the hole of the CFRP specimen was mainly conducted in the direction of fiber laying. The matrix compression firstly occurred during the riveting process, and the initiation location of the failure elements was in the first two plies. The gasket reduced the residual stress near the hole significantly, and further reduced 12.5% failed elements and 85% failed elements corresponding to the 304 stainless steel gasket and the TC4 gasket, respectively. In addition, the riveting damage can be reduced obviously adjusting the gasket geometric parameters after selecting the appropriate material of gasket. The less riveting damage occurred corresponding to the smaller the inner diameter of the gasket.