Fatigue life estimation of riveted joints subjected to asymmetrical loading

Based on the identity assumption of transfer loads of the rivets, novel simplified formulas were derived to predict transfer and bypass stresses of riveted joints subjected to complicated asymmetrical stresses, and the formula was then deduced to calculate stress severity factor (SSF) of rivet holes. Finally, new SSF formulas were applied to predict fatigue life of riveted joints subjected to a given asymmetrical stress spectrum and the calculated results were compared with those by using the detail fatigue rating (DFR) method, demonstrating the practical and effective use of the proposed simplified approach. It is shown that good correlation is achieved between the results predicted by resorting to novel simplified approach presented and in accordance with the DFR method, but the calculated result from simplified approach is more conservative than that of the DFR method.