CHAPTER

13
RIVETED JOINTS

SYMBOLS

d
Di
eorl
F
h

he, hi, h2
i
I
J

K ~
m

Mb
P
Pc
Pd
Pt

el

Z
o-o

aa
O"c
T

~-a
~7
0

F
F'

2,3,4
area of cross-section, m 2 (in 2)
the cross-sectional area of rivet shank, m 2 (in 2)
breadth of cover plates (also with suffixes), m (in)
distance from the centroid of the rivet group to the critical rivet,
m (in)
diameter of rivet, m (in)
internal diameter of pressure vessel, m (mm)
eccentricity of loading, m (in)
force on plate or rivets (also with suffixes), kN (lbf)
thickness of plate or shell, m (in)
thickness of cover plate (butt strap), m (in)
number of rivets in a pitch fine (also with suffixes 1 and 2,
respectively, for single shear and double shear rivets)
moment of inertia, area, m 4, cm 4 (in 4)
moment of inertia, polar, m 4, cm 4 (in 4)
coefficient (Table 13-11)
margin, m (in)
bending moment, N m (lbf in)
pitch on the gauge line or longitudinal pitch, m (in)
pitch along the caulking edge, m (in)
diagonal pitch, m (in)
transverse pitch, m (in)
intensity of fluid pressure, MPa (psi)
section modulus of the angle section, m 3, cm 3 (in 3)
hoop stress in pressure vessel or normal stress in plate, MPa
(psi)
allowable normal stress, MPa (psi)
crushing stress in rivets, MPa (psi)
shear stress in rivet, MPa (psi)
allowable shear stress, MPa (psi)
efficiency of the riveted joint
angle between a line drawn from the centroid of the rivet group
to the critical rivet and the horizontal (Fig. 13-5)
13.1

13.2

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Particular

Formula

PRESSURE VESSELS
Thickness of main plates
The thickness of plate of the pressure vessel with
longitudinal joint

(13-1)

h ---efoi

2r/cro

For thickness of boiler plates and suggested types of

joints

Refer to Tables 13-1 and 13-2.

The thickness of plate of the pressure vessel with

circumferential joint

h -- e f o i

For allowable stress and efficiency of joints

Refer to Tables 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, and 13-6.

(13-2)

4r/o-o

PITCHES
Lap joints
The diagonal pitch (staggered) (Fig. 13-1) for p, Pt,
and Pa

Pd =

2p+d
3

(13-3)

Refer to Tables 13-7 and 13-8 for rivets for general

purposes and boiler rivets.
The distance between rows or transverse pitch or back
pitch (staggered)

pt=~(2pf d )2 _

The rivet diameter

d = O. 19x/h to 0 . 2 ~

(~p)'~2

(13-4)

SI

(13-5a)

USCS

(13-5b)

CM

(13-5c)

where h and d in m

i.,.

d = 1.2x/-h to 1.4v/h
where h and d in in
d-

6x/h to 6.3v/-h
where h and d on mm

FIGURE 13-1 Pitch relation

T A B L E 13-1
Suggested types of joint
Diameter of shell, mm (in)

Thickness of shell, mm (in)

Type of joint

600-1800 (24-72)
900-2150 (36-84)
1500-2750 (60-108)

6-12 (0.25-0.5)
7.5-25 (0.31-1.0)
9.0-44 (0.375-1.75)

Double-riveted
Triple-riveted
Quadruple-riveted

RIVETED JOINTS

13.3

T A B L E 13-2
M i n i m u m thickness of boiler plates
Shell plates

Tube sheets of firetube boilers

Diameter of shell,
mm (in)

Minimum thickness after flanging,

mm (in)

Diameter of tube sheet,

mm (in)

Minimum thickness,
mm (in)

_<900 (36)
900-1350 (36-54)
1350-1800 (54-72)
>IO,,,,
_ our (72)

6.0 (0.25)
8.0 (0.3125)
9.5 (0.375)
12.5 (0.5)

_<1050 (42)
1050-1350 (42-54)
1350-1800 (54-72)
< i800 (72)

9.5 (0.375)
11.5 (0.4375)
12.5 (0.50)
i4.0 (0.5625)

T A B L E 13-3
Efficiency of riveted joints 0/)
% Efficiency, ~/

Type of joint
Lap joints
Single-riveted
Double-riveted
Triple-riveted
Butt joints (with two cover plates)
Single-riveted
Double-riveted
Triple-riveted
Quadruple-riveted

Normal
range

Maximum

50-60
60-72
72-80

63
77
86.6

55-60
76-84
80-88
86-94

63
87
95
98

T A B L E 13-4
Allowable stresses in structural riveting (crb)
Rivets acting in single shear

Rivets acting in double shear

Load-carrying member

Type of stress

Rivet-driving
method

Rolled steel SAE 1020

Tension
Shear

Power

124
93

18.0
13.5

124
93

18.0
13.5

Shear
Crushing
Crushing

Hand
Power
Hand

68
165
110

10.0
24.0
16.0

68
206
137

10.0
30.0
20.0

Rivets, SAE 1010

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

13.4

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

TABLE

13-5

Allowable stress for aluminum rivets, o"a

Allowable stress a, O"a
Shear

Bearing

Rivet alloy

Procedure of drawing

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

2S (pure aluminum)
17S
17S
615-T6
53S

Cold, as received
Cold, immediately after quenching
Hot, 500-510C
Cold, as received
Hot, 515-527C

20
68
62
55
41

3.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
6.0

48
179
179
103
103

7.0
26.0
26.0
15.0
15.0

a Actual safety factor or reliability factor is 1.5.

TABLE

13-6

Values of working stress a at elevated temperatures

Minimum of the specified range of tensile strength of the material, MPa (kpsi)
Maximum
temperatures

(45)

311

(50)

344

(55)

380

(60)

413

(75)

517

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

MPa

kpsi

0-700
750
800
850
900
950

0-371
399
427
455
482
511

61
56
45
37
29
22

9.0
8.22
6.55
5.44
4.33
3.20

68
62
53
41
33
26

10.0
9.11
7.33
6.05
4.83
3.60

76
68
54
46
37
27

11.00
10.00
8.00
6.75
5.50
4.00

82
77
61
51
38
27

12.00
11.20
9.00
7.40
5.60
4.00

103
89
70
57
41
27

15.00
13.00
10.20
8.30
6.00
4.00

Design stresses of pressure vessels are based on a safety factor of 5.

TABLE

13-7

Pitch of butt joints

Type of joint

Diameter of rivets, d, mm

Pitch, p

Double-riveted
use for h _< 12.5 mm (0.5 in)
Triple-riveted-use for h < 25 mm
(1 in)
Quadruple-riveted
use for h < 31.75mm
(1.25in)

Any

5.5d (approx.)

1.75-23.80
27.00
30.15-36.50
17.50-23.80
27.00
30.15
33.30-36.50

8d-8.5d
7.5d
6.5d-7d
16d-17d
15d (approx.)
14d (approx.)
13d-14d

RIVETED JOINTS

13.5

T A B L E 13-8
T r a n s v e r s e pitch

(Pt) as per A S M E B o i l e r C o d e

Value of p/d

Value of Pt

2d

2d

2d

2d

2d

2.2d

2.3d

Formula

Particular

Butt joint
The transverse pitch

Pt : 2d to 2.5d

(13-6a)

Pt >-- v/O.5p d + 0.25d 2

(13-6b)

F o r rivetS, rivet holes, and strap thick

Refer to Tables 13-9, 13' 10, a n d Fig. 13-2.

T A B L E 13-9

T A B L E 13-10

R i v e t hole d i a m e t e r s

R i v e t hole d i a m e t e r s and strap t h i c k n e s s

Diameter of rivet, mm

12
14
16
18
20
22
24
27
30
33
36
39
42
48

Rivet hole diameters, mm (min)

Plate
thickness,
h, mm

13
15
17
19
21
23
25
28.5
31.5
34.5
37.5
41.0
44
50

I~

..............

6.25
7.20
8.00
8.75
9.50
10.30
11.10
12.00
12.50
13.50

l. . . .

Minimum
strap
thickness,
hc mm

6.25

Hole
Plate
diameter, thickness,
d, mm
h, mm

8.00

11.10

14.25

11.10

15.90
19.00

12.50

22.25

15.90

24.00

25.00
28.50
31.75
83.10

12.50
19.00
22.25
25.00

30.15

r---7"

FIGURE 13-2

Hole
diameter,
d, mm

27.0

17.50
20.50

9.50

Minimum
strap
thickness,
h~ mm

Quadruple-riveted double-strap butt joint.

33.30

36.50
39.70

13.6

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Particular
Minimum transverse pitch as per A S M E Boiler Code

Formula
Pt -- 1.75d

if p~___4

(13-7a)

Pt = 1.75d + 0 . 0 0 1 ( p - d)

if p~ > 4

SI

(13-8a)

USCS

(13-8b)

CM

(13-9a)

where Pt, P, and d in m

pt=l.75d+O.l(p-d)

if p ~ > 4

where Pt, d, and p in in

For transverse pitches

Refer to Table 13-8.

Haven and Swett formula for permissible pitches

along the caulking edge of the outside cover plate

pc-d

14 4h/-~[3

f-~f

where Pc, d, hc in cm, and PI in kgf/cm 2

4N

Pc - d = 2 1 . 3 8 g ~ f

USCS

(13-9b)

SI

(13-9c)

where Pc, d, hc in in, and Pf in psi

r----P c -

d = 77.8 4/h3

Vg

where Pc, d, hc in m, and Pf in N/m 2

Diagonal pitch, Pd, is calculated from the relation

(13-10)

2(pd - d) >_ ( p - d)

MARGIN
Margin for longitudinal seams of all pressure vessels
and girth seams of power boiler having unsupported
heads

m = 1.5d to 1.75d

(13-11a)

Margin for girth seams of power boilers having

supported heads and all unfired pressure vessels

m >
1.25d
n

(13-11b)

COVER PLATES
The thickness of cover plate

hc=0.6h+0.0025

if h _< 0.038 m

SI

(13-12a)

USCS

(13-12b)

SI

(13-12c)

USCS

(13-12d)

where hc and h in m
hc=0.6h+0.1

if h<_ 1.5in

where hc and h in in

hc -- 0.67h

if h > 0.038m

where hc and h in m

hc=O.67h

if h > 1.5in

where hc and h in in

RIVETED JOINTS

13.7

T A B L E 13-11
Rivet groups under eccentric loading value of coefficient K

,,,P,ig2 1

tp

p2 + p 2

K=

1
4

(I 6, ]2
(n + 1)pt

+1

Case 1

H.'

- o - ,o
~11, ~P~ _~.~_ -e-,,

Case 2

K=

2--7- +
t

~'

-SY

+ 1

1)pt

"-( . ) - - I - - ~ -( ")-- "1-- "l~(--- P--~I

Case 3

Kl(rt -

+ (n 2 - 1)p 2 +

112

Case 4

K-

p~+(~ _ 1)p,~
_

.1_pt

tp
1] 2
+ p2 + (~ - 1)p,~ + 5

Case 5

K =

l(n - 1)pt
)2
(p~ +p2 +Z(nZ_ l)p2 + (p2 + p2 + 2 (n 2 _ 1)p2 +

Case 6

Key:
n = total number of rivets in a column
F = permissible load, acting with lever arm, l, kN (lbf)
F' -- permissible load on one rivet, kN (lbf)
K = F/F', coefficient
Source: K. Lingaiah and B. R. Narayana Iyengar, Machine Design Data Handbook (fps Units), Engineering College Cooperative Society,
Bangalore, India, 1962; K. Lingaiah and B. R. Narayana Iyengar, Machine Design Data Handbook, Vol. I (SI and Customary Metric Units),
Suma Publishers, Bangalore, India, 1983; and K. Lingaiah, Machine Design Data Handbook, Vol. II (SI and Customary Metric Units), Suma
Publishers, Bangalore, India, 1986.

13.8

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Formula

Particular

Thickness of the cover plate according to

Indian Boiler Code
(13-13)

Thickness of single-butt cover plate

h1 =

Thickness of single-butt cover plate omitting alternate

rivet in the over rows

h 2 -- 1.25h p - d
p - 2d

(13-14)

Thickness of double-butt cover plates of equal width

hc = hi = h2 = 0.625h

(13-15)

Thickness of double-butt cover plates of equal width

omitting alternate rivet in the outer rows

hc = hi = h2 -- 0.625h p - d

(13-16)

h 1 : 0.625h for narrow strap

(13-17a)

h2 --0.750h for wide strap

(13-17b)

Thickness of the double-butt cover plates of unequal

width

1.125h

p - 2d

For thickness of cover plates

Refer to Table 13-10.

The width of upper cover plate (narrow strap)

bl = 4 m + 2 p t I

(13-18)

The width of lower cover plate (wide strap)

b2 -- bl + 2pt2 "at- 4 m

(13-19)

The tensile strength of the solid plate

Fo = phao

(13-20)

The tensile strength of the perforated strip along the

outer gauge line

Fo = ( p - d)hcro

(13-21)

STRENGTH
RIVETED

ANALYSIS
JOINT

(Fig.

OF TYPICAL
13-2)

The general expression for the resistance to shear of

all the rivets in one pitch length

7rd 2

F~ = (2i 2 + il) - ~

(13-22)

The general expression for the resistance to crushing

of the rivets

F c = (i2h + ilh2)dcrc

(13-23)

The resistance against failure of the plate through the

second row and simultaneous shearing of the rivets in
the first row

7cd 2
F~I = ( p - 2d)hcro + ~
"1-

(13-24)

The resistance against failure of the plate through the

second row and simultaneous crushing of the rivets in
the first row

Fcl + ( p -

(13-25)

The resistance against shearing of the rivets in the

outer row and simultaneous crushing of the rivets in
the two inner rows

7r

2d)hao + dhac

Fro = -~ d2"r + idhcr c

(13-26)

RIVETED JOINTS

Particular
EFFICIENCY

13.9

Formula

OF THE RIVETED

JOINT

The efficiency of plate

p-d

(13-27)

The efficiency of rivet in general case

7rd27-(il 4- 2/2)
4phao

(i2+/1
( ha)
h2

i 2 4 - i l -ff

For efficiency of joints

(13-28)

Crc4-Cr0

Refer to Table 13-3.

The diameter of the rivet in general case

4hi2 + i 1h2o"c
d

..__

(13-29)

7r(il 4- 2/2)~-

Note: for lap joint/2 = 0

for butt joint il = 0
The pitch in general case

(2i2 + il )Trd27p =

For pitch of joint

THE LENGTH
(Fig. 13-3)

4her

+d

(13-30)

Refer to Table 13-7.

OF THE

SHANK

OF RIVET
L -- h + hi 4- h2 4- (1.5 to 1.7)D

(13-31a)

L -- h + hc + (1.5 to 1.7)D

(13-31b)

for butt joint with single cover plate

X

/"
0.5D

FIGURE 13-3

for lap joint

"-I

L --- 2h 4- (1.5 to 1.7)D

5 diameters long and under

where D -

diameter of rivet

(13-31c)

13.10

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Formula

Particular
STRUCTURAL
R i v e t i n g of
( F i g . 13-4)

an

JOINT
a n g l e to a g u s s e t

plate
F

The resultant normal stress

!~ ~ ~
g

,,,.a

IF --H~

-,_-

1~_~

,i a

Fe
Z

(13-32)

i F

(a)

FIGURE 13-4 Riveting of an angle to a gusset plate.

RIVETED

BRACKET

(Fig. 13-5)

The resultant load on the farthest rivet whose distance

is c from the center of gravity of a group of rivets
(Fig. 13-5)

FR =

-+- E x 2 .+. E y 2

nn--5

jF

Axialload-x~F
F +

an' ~
~,,

I
MbC

jF
At,
""1~ /
oment
? /c~oo u p l e ,

Z, - ~

,4,

1 ,4,'

'+'-I ' f

F~_.._ Moment couple

FIGURE 13-5 Riveted bracket. (Bureau of Indian Standards.)

~ X2 + ~ y2

COS 0

(13-33)

RIVETED JOINTS

13.11

Formula

Particular

where
n = number of rivets in one column
n' number of rivets in one row
x, y have the meaning as shown in Fig. 13-5
For rivet groups under eccentric loading value of
coefficient K

Refer to Table 13-11.

For preferred length and diameter of rivets

Refer to Figs. 13-6 to 13-8 and Tables 13-12 to 13-13.

For collected formulas of riveted joints

Refer to Table 13-14.

RrVrRrNCrS
1. Maleev, V. L., and J. B. Hartmen, Machine Design, International Textbook Company, Scranton, Pennsylvania,
1954.
~
2. Lingaiah, K., and B. R. Narayana Iyengar, Machine Design Data Handbook (fps Units), Engineering College
Cooperative Society, Bangalore, India, 1962..~
3. Lingaiah, K., and B. R. Narayana Iyengar, Machine Design Data Handbook, Vol. I (SI and Customary Metric
Units), Suma Publishers, Bangalore, India, i983. ~
4. Lingaiah, K., Machine Design Data Handbook, Vol. iI (SI and Customary Metric Units), Suma Publishers,
Bangalore, India, 1986.
5. Bureau of Indian Standards.
~
6. Lingaiah, K., Machine Design Data Handbook, McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New York, 1994.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Faires, V. M., Design of Machine Elements, The Macmillafi Company, New York, 1965.
Norman, C. A., E. S. Ault, and I. F. Zarobsky, Fundamentals of Machine Design, The Macmillan Company, New
York, 1951.
Vallance, A., and V. L. Doughtie, Design of Machine Members, McGraw-HiU Publishing Company, New York,
1951.

13.12

C H AP T ER T H I R T E E N

i-" 1"6d--'~
O~d ~

i-" 1"6d"~1

~,

O'{TdJ ~ d - ~

2.25d

-'

;-<1

O'}d

1 "5~6d

~d
Snap Head

Pan Head

oo

:-t

Mushroom Head

O" 3d

Countersunk Head

0"25d

t
Flat Countersunk
Head 90
F I G U R E 13-6

"
Flat Countersunk
Head 60

Round Countersunk
Head 60

Flat Head

Rivets for general purposes (less than 12 mm diameter). For preferred length and diameter combination, refer to

Table 13-12.

'1

0"7D k

t,' ~.6o_~0-,o

g
_J

t
Snap Head
-

1.5D

Pan Head
-'

U1.5D

--

-.

i-

.-

"~i

2D

-.
(33
._J

_J

_J

Rounded Countersunk Head

FIGURE 13-7
Table 13-13.

Pan Head with Tapered Neck

Flat Countersunk Head

Flat Head

Rivets for general purposes (12 to 48 mm diameter). For preferred length and diameter combination, refer to

RIVETED JOINTS

//~1"6

-,-

D 4.1m~ 0"6D

1.7 D

,q

=-!

13.13

0.

I
!--

;I

i
ELLIPSOIDHEAD

SNAP HEAD

i~

I-" D--~

o.7
f

'

c'-

'

t-0.125D

r,

COUNTERSUNK HEAD

,_J
E

"

I~11 "4D AN D_.LJ

_1

L 13D~e.~T'

).125D ~'

{33

] .4D For Rivets under 24 mm

1.3D For Rivets 24 mm and over
PAN HEAD,TYPE 2

PAN HEAD,TYPE 1

r- D ~i
/ - r = 0.063D ~

~, '-~-'

:t--I-'k

~6o

~o.~sD

4
l.I 0.5D
+

I: o ~!
PAN HEAD,WITH
TAPEREDNECK

FIGURE 13-8

60

t
1 SEETPLE

HEAD

0.7D

'
,

tt-

,-

(~-~~ '~2
!: ~, 1-6D 7-~i [0.~25D
;~6o/
CONICALHEAD

i
Round Countersunk Head

Boiler rivets (12 to 48mm diameter). For preferred length and diameter combination, refer to Table 13-13.

13.14

TABLE

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

13-12

Preferred length ( x ) and diameter combinations for rivets (Fig. 13-6)

Diameter, mm
Length, mm

1.6

2
--

2.5

10

12

14

16

18

--

20

--

--

--

22

--

--

24

26

--

28

30

35

--

--

40

45

--

50

X
X

--

55
60

--

65

-.

-.

70

Source: Bureau of Indian Standards, IS: 2155, 1962.

10

RIVETED

TABLE

13.15

JOINTS

13-13

Preferred lengths ( x ) and diameter combinations of rivets (Fig. 13-7)

Diameter, mm
Length, mm

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

27

30

33

--

--

28

31.5

35.5

40

45

50

56

63

71

80

36

39

42

85

90

--

95

100

106

112

118
125
132
140

--

150
160

--

180

--

200
224
250

-.

Source: B u r e a u o f I n d i a n S t a n d a r d s , IS: 1929, 1961.

48

o~
om,,~

'7,,..

13.16

~|

e~

"-|

1,1

~.~

=~

.~=~

~,~

m
,,~

~l ~

.,..~

("..I

.,..q

. ,...~

+
t. 3

+
(..q

e-i

",1

o
~D

+
'3

"3

.,..~

:,7. ~

Cxl

o~

o~

"-|

-I

o~
o~

r~~

0.)
[-.,

.~v

t,

t'3

+
,4

13.17

c~

~
~

13.18

"'|

-I

z
o

..=

.,..~

.,..~

.,..~

0-

+
o.

[..,

cxl

[..,

,.cZ

~"
~"

~-+s.

+~+~

~z

|
[..

r~
~,

.,i

~4

r~

,,~

~
@
~

t'3

+
o

~l

t'3
t~

t3
0

~'E

I~
X

~ ~ ~ ,
~ .= ~
-

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