Fastener Analysis

The practical applications to aircraft design are many,

particularly where a load is transferred from one
structural member to another. There are two basic joint
arrangements that make up a connection design: the
single shear lap joint and the double shear lap joint , as
shown in Figs.1 and 2 , respectively. From these, a
multitude of other design configurations are possible to
construct for general aircraft usage: such as shear
clips, brackets, web splices, support fittings, backup
fittings, and various types of reinforcement members
that are used in conjunction with the repair and
modification of in-service flight vehicle structures.

1
 Single-Shear Lap Joint

FIGURE-1 : Single-Shear Lap Joint

2
Double-Shear Lap Joint

FIGURE -2: Double-Shear Lap Joint

3
 Bolt Bending Failure

• In general, if relatively thin plate-like members of either

the single-shear lap or double-shear lap joint varieties
are used, the local bending effect on the joint fasteners
arising from the eccentricities and anomalies of their
designs can be coming stresses to develop on the lugs
that precipitates the lugs to fail.

4
 Bolt Bending Failure

FIGURE-3: Bolt bending : (a) in a single-shear lap joint and (b) in a double-shear
clevis joint.

5
 Bolt Bending Failure

• Additionally, it is important to provide sufficient bending

strength for bolt to prevent permanent bending
deformation of the bolt at limit load. In this way, the bolts
can easily be removed from the structure during routine
maintenance operations.

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 Shear Failures

FIGURE- 4: Joint shear failures: (a) in a single-shear lap joint and (b) in a
double-shear lap joint.

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 Shear Failures

• The shearing failure that occurs for fasteners of both the

single-shear lap joint and double-shear lap joint
configurations are shown in Fig-4.In either case, the
bearing pressures that are developed by the plate
forces bearing up against the fastener are assumed to
be uniformly distributed along the fastener.

8
 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

• The strength of a mechanically fastened joint is

governed by a compliment of ultimate joint failures
which can occur by
• shearing and tension failures of the fastener
• tension and compression failure of the plate
• and bearing, shearing and tearing failures of the sheet
or plate material.

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 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

• Flight and landing conditions. Such is the case when

stresses occur above the elastic limit of the material.
• The ultimate allowable shearing strength (Psu) of a
Fastener in either a single-shear or double-shear joint
application, is defined by the following expression:

10
 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

Psu = Fsu Ashr Cr

Where:
Fsu = ultimate shear stress of the rivet material
Ashr =( πD2)/4 for single-shear joints; and 2 Ashr for
double-shear joints
D = nominal hole diameter
Cr = shear strength correction.

This type of failure is viewed in Fig.-4.

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 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

• Failure of a connection can occur in bearing when a

fastener crushes or deforms the material of the plate
caused by the bearing pressures that build up between
the fastener and the plate. This type of failure is viewed
in Fig.-5.
• The ultimate allowable shearing strength (Pbru) of a Plate
or Fastener in either a single-shear or double-shear joint
application, is defined by the following expression:

12
 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

FIGURE- 5: Diagram shows cylindrical bearing stress distribution.

13
 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

Pbru = Fbru t D

Where:
Fbru = ultimate allowable bearing stress of the plate
or fastener material
t = plate thickness
D = use the nominal hole diameter and the nominal
shank diameter of fastener.

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 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

• A mechanically fastened connection may fail in tension

suddenly and abruptly across the net cross sectional
area of its connection plates caused by
• the discontinuity through which the fastener holes exist.
For example single-shear lap joint in a tension-loaded
joint.
• Ultimate Allowable Tensile Strength (Pt)net of a plate:

15
 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

FIGURE-6:Single-shear lap joint in a tension-loaded joint.

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 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

FIGURE -7:Tension failure of a plate across its net cross-sectional area through a hole.

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 Strength criteria for Mechanically Fastened
Connections.

• Ultimate Allowable Tensile Strength (Pt)net of a plate:

(Pt)net = Ftu Anet

Where :
Ftu = ultimate allowable tension
stress of the plate material
Anet = (w-D)t
w = width of the plate
D = actual hole diameter
t = plate thickness

18
 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• A structural connection may be classified as one the

following types:
• (1) a concentrically loaded connection or
• (2) an eccentrically loaded connection.
• Both of these types are viewed in Fig.8.If a joint is
concentrically loaded, the applied force P passes
through the center of gravity (CG)2 of the fastener group
and thereby physically prevents the joint from twisting.

19
 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

FIGURE -8:Mechanically fastened connections : (a) with a concentrically applied load

and (b) with an eccentrically applied load.

20
 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• Consider the fasteners of Fig.9 to be of the same size

and type. Theoretically, as the force P is initially applied
to plates, the end fasteners will begin to resist a much
larger percentage of the applied force p than the middle
fasteners.

21
 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

FIGURE-9:A multi-riveted connection.

22
 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• The applied force p is equally distributed to joint

fasteners of the same size and type .
• And structural tendency of these fasteners:
Ps = P/n
Where:
ps = fastener shearing force.
P = applied force (axial tension or compression).
n = number of joint fasteners.

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 Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• Example : The aft wing-to-fuselage structure in Fig.10 is

considered critical for maximum wing forward-bending.1If
the rear spar transmits a 6,300 lb force(ultimate)
concentrically with its connection plate, as shown in view
A-A of Fig.11, what are the margins of safety for the
different possible modes of failure that may occur for this
structural design? Assume an effective width of skin of
2.0 in

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Example Concentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-10:Wing rear spar to fuselage attachment.

25
Example Concentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-11:View A-A

26
 Calculation Concentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-12:Diagram shows the internal distribution of fastener forces.

27
 Calculation Concentrically Loaded Connections

Ps =Fastener Shearing Force.

Ps = p/n = 6300/9 = 700lb

Ultimate Shear Failure of the connection Rivets:

Psu = Fsu Ashr Cr

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 Calculation Concentrically Loaded Connections

• Ultimate Bearing Failure of the Rear spar connection

plate:
• Pbru = Fbru t D

•Ultimate Tension Failure of the Rear Spar Connection

Plate:
• (Pt)net = Ftu Anet

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 Summary of Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• This section are summarized below:

• All frictional resistance between the plates and fasteners
of a structural joint are neglected.
• All stress concentrations at the edges of the fastener
holes are neglected at stresses above the proportional
limit of the material.
• The applied force is equally distributed between joint
fasteners of the same size and type

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 Summary of Concentrically Loaded Connections.

• The bearing pressure between a fastener and a plate is

assumed to be uniformly distributed over the plate
bearing area.
• A tension joint is assumed to produce stresses which
are uniformly distributed over the net area . For a
compression-loaded member, the stresses are likewise
uniformly distributed, but in this case, over the gross
cross-sectional area of the plate.
• Shearing stresses are assumed to be uniformly
distributed across the cross-sectional area of a fastener.
• The local bending effects of joint fasteners are neglected
for relatively thin plate like members.

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 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Eccentrically Loaded connections. The mechanically

fastened connections were restricted to the special case
in which the line of action of the applied force had to
pass through the centroid of the fastener group. This
limitation prevented the connection from physically
twisting.
• Such a twist is what develops the torsional bending
moment of the joint.

32
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-12:Eccentrically loaded connection. The line of action of the

reactive force R does not pass through the center of gravity of the
fastener group.

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 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-13:Eccentric load resolved into equivalent component forces.

34
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-14:Centroid location of the fastener group

35
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-15:Distribution of direct shear force V resisted by the

shearing forces of the joint fasteners.

36
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-16:Distribution of direct axial force P resisted by the

shearing forces of the joint fasteners.

37
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-17: Superposition of rivet shearing forces due

to the internal forces V,P and M.

38
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-18:Distribution of tensional moment M resisted by

the shearing forces of the joint fasteners.

39
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

FIGURE-19:Pictorial representation of the component

forces of the tensional moment M.

40
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• To summarize the structural analysis method of this

section is
• Resolve all of the applied forces acting on the
connection into equivalent horizontal and vertical
components.
• Locate the centroid (center of gravity) of the fastener
group using one of the following set of equations
depending on whether the fasteners are of different sizes
(set a), or of the same size (set b):

41
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• (a) Xcg = Σ(D2x) (b) Xcg = Σx

ΣD2 n

• Ycg = Σ(D2y) Ycg = Σy

ΣD2 n

42
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Indicate the equivalent forces V, P and M at the centroid

of the fastener group and then determine their values by
applying the euations of static equilibrium:
• (a) ΣFx = 0 is used to solve for the direct axial force P.
• (b) ΣFy = 0 is used to solve for the direct shearing force
V.
• (c) ΣMcg = 0 is used to solve for the tensional moment M.

43
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Calculate the shearing forces due to the forces v and p

and then pictorially diagram these forces resisted by all
of the fasteners of the connection using one of the
following set of equations depending on Whether
fasteners are of different sizes and types (set a), of
different sizes but of the same type (set b), or of the
same size and type (set c):

44
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• (a) Xcg = Σ(D2x) (b) Xcg = Σx

ΣD2 n

• Ycg = Σ(D2y) Ycg = Σy

ΣD2 n

45
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• (b) (ps)v = VD2 (c) (ps)v = V

ΣD2 n

• (ps)p = PD2 (ps)p = P

ΣD2 n

46
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Pictorially diagram the tensional moment M as shearing

forces resisted by the fasteners of the connection. Then
replace these forces by their corresponding horizontal
and vertical components.
• Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of
shearing forces (from step 5) resisted by all of the
fasteners of the connection using one of the following set
of equations depending on whether fasteners are of
different sizes and types (set a), of different sizes but of
the same type (set b), or of the same size and type (set
c):

47
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• (b) [(ps)m]x = MD2Y (c) [(ps)m]x = MY

Σ(D2R2) Σr2

• [(ps)m]Y = MD2X [(ps)m]Y = MX

Σ(D2R2) Σr2

48
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Vectorially superimpose the fastener shearing forces due

to V, P and M in their proper x and y rectangular
coordinate directions using the following set of
equations:
• ΣPx = (Ps) p + [(Ps) m] x
ΣPy = (Ps) v + [(Ps) m] y

49
 Eccentrically Loaded Connections

• Calculate the magnitude of the resultant shearing force

acting at each fastener using the following equation:

• Ps = [(ΣPx)2 + (ΣPy)2]1/2

50
 Fitting factors

• For each fitting whose strength is not proven by limit and

ultimate load tests in which actual stress conditions are
simulated in the fitting and surrounding structures, a
fitting factor of at
least 1.15 must be applied to each part of:
(1) the fitting,
(2) the means of attachment, and
(3) the bearing of the joined members.
• No fitting factor need be used: (1) for joints made under
approved practices and based on comprehensive test
data (such as continuous joints in metal plating, welded
joints, and scarf.

51
 Shear Flexibility

• Alexander Rutman
• DOUGLAS
• HUTH
• Boeing

52
 Shear Flexibility

Short description of DOUGLAS formulae

53
 Shear Flexibility

• Short description of Huth formulae


t t  k  1 1 1 1 
C i   1 2        
 2  D  n  t1  E1 n  t 2  E 2 2  t1  E o 2  n  t 2  E o 

λ k
Fastened Metallic Assembly 0.66 3
Riveted Metallic Assembly 0.4 2.2
Composite assembly 0.66 4.2

Single Shear, n = 1
Double Shear, n = 2

54
 Shear Flexibility

• Short description of Boeing Method

55
 Reference
1] David J. Perry,'Aircraft structures',Mc-Graw Hill
publication,1950.

2] E. F. Bruhn,'Analysis and design of flight vehicle

structures',1973.

3] Michael C. Y. Niu, 'Airframe Stress Analysis and Sizing',

2001.

56
 Thank You
KRISHNAMURTHY M

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