Fatigue behaviour of fastening joints of sheet materials and finite element analysis

Some fastening techniques such as self-piercing riveting, mechanical clinching, and structural adhesive bonding are efficient joining methods which are suitable for joining advanced lightweight sheet materials that are hard to weld. The recent literature relating to fatigue behavior of such fastening joints and finite element analysis is reviewed in this paper. The recent development in fatigue behavior analysis of the fastening joints is described with particular reference to some major factors that influence the fatigue behavior of the fastening joints: failure mechanism, environmental effects, and hybrid joining techniques. The main methods used in finite element analysis of fatigue behavior of the fastening joints of sheet materials are discussed and illustrated with brief case studies from the literature.