13 Finite Element Models

This chapter presents the details of the finite element models used for the calculations tabulated in Appendix A. It includes information about the geometries of all the models. Differences among the models (e.g. friction coefficients) are given in the tables in Appendix A; Chapter 15 presents the details of the material behavior used for all of the models.

All of the finite element models used for the data presented fall into the following three categories:

• 2D models of butt joints, attachment joints and open hole panels [18, 19]

• 3D models of single rivet-row lap and butt joints (including standard and countersunk rivet heads, interference and clamping, sealants and adhesives, biaxial loading) (1, 13–16)

• 3D models of double rivet-row lap, butt and doubler joints (standard and countersunk rivet heads) [1, 13, 14, 19, 20, 35]

For each category, a basic model was developed and modified as needed. The basic models will be described below, followed by the details of the various modifications. All models were created and run using the finite element code ABAQUS.