Investigation of Aircraft Panel Deformations during Riveting Process

GF Abdelal, G Georgiou, JE Cooper, A Murphy, AJ Robotham, P Lunt

Research output: Contribution to journalConference proceedings published in a journalpeer-review

Abstract

In collaboration with Airbus-UK, the dimensional growth of small panels while being riveted with stiffeners is investigated. The stiffeners have been fastened to the panels with rivets and it has been observed that during this operation the panels expand in the longitudinal and transverse directions. It has been observed that the growth is variable and the challenge is to control the riveting process to minimize this variability. In this investigation, the assembly of the small panels and longitudinal stiffeners has been simulated using low and high fidelity nonlinear finite element models. The models have been validated against a limited set of experimental measurements; it was found that more accurate predictions of the riveting process are achieved using high fidelity explicit finite element models. Furthermore, through a series of numerical simulations and probabilistic analyses, the manufacturing process control parameters that influence panel growth have been identified. Alternative fastening approaches were examined and it was found that dimensional growth can be controlled by changing the design of the dies used for forming the rivets.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages15
JournalDefault journal
Volume0
Issue number0
Publication statusPublished - 7 Oct 2014
Event4th Aircraft Structural Design Conference - Belfast, UK
Duration: 7 Oct 20149 Oct 2014

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