Extension of the application limits of blind fasteners for joining high‐strength steels in metal lightweight construction

Abstract

In the context of a publicly funded research project, which aims to develop new design rules for the application of blind fasteners in structures made of high-strength steels, systematic investigations are performed. The paper presents results from quasi-static shear tests on single-point connections with high-strength steel and different types of fastener for lightweight constructions. Two reference series with M6 bolts of strength grade 5.6 and 10.9 as well as two blind rivets Ø 6,4 mm were tested. The sleeve extending blind rivet (MANGA-LOK, ARCONIC Inc.) and sleeve folding blind rivet (TIBULB, TITGEMEYER Group) were used. The steel grade was varied in the range from S235JR up to S700MC. The purpose of the tests is to investigate the effects of high-strength steels on the load-bearing behaviour of shear stressed single-point connections. The first tests results showed a significant reduction of the shear resistance up to 41 %, when using blind fasteners in combination with highstrength steels. Different effects could be identified, which are responsible for this behaviour. Further experimental tests and numerical simulation with single-point and multipoint connections are planned to investigate these effects more detailed. Aim of the investigations is to define rules in accordance with EUROCODE 3 for joints/connections with blind fasteners, which take into account the effects of the usage of high-strength steels.