Abstract

Interference-fit fasteners are commonly used in aircraft structures and the quality of their installation is critical to the service life of the structures. Conventional installation methods of driving fasteners usually use pneumatic or hydraulic tooling as a driving force, which can cause significant installation damage when a large driving force is required. This paper presents numerical simulation and experimental approaches for investigating the process of driving interference-fit fasteners with a stress wave installation method. The performance and advantages of the stress wave installation method are explored using the finite element method. In particular, the loading characteristics and driving process of the new method are investigated and compared with conventional installation methods. The results indicate that the stress wave method can effectively drive fasteners with higher interference values and cause much less damage than conventional installation methods. Fatigue testing for fasteners installed by both conventional methods and the stress wave method is carried out to verify the results from numerical simulation. The stress wave driving method can also increase the fatigue strength of the joint. This patent review highlights the developments of stress wave installation methods and their numerical simulation algorithms as well as fatigue testing approaches.

Keywords: Interference-fit, fastener, driving force, stress wave, finite element method, elastic tension, alloy lockbolt, ABAQUS, hydraulic force, High-Frequency Fatigue