Research and optimization design of a riveted longitudinal lap joint in integral panel structure

Because the lap joint highly affects fatigue life of aircraft structure, three-stepped riveted lap joint, simple riveted lap joint and two-stepped riveted lap joint in integral panel structure were researched. Firstly, the global finite element models and finite element sub-models of the above riveted lap joints were built by ANASYS software. Based on the finite element analyses, the accurate stress contours of these riveted lap joint structures can be obtained, so the stress concentration coefficients of critical point can be calculated. The configuration dimensions of riveted lap joints were parameterized for optimization design and sensitivity analysis. The analysis results of three-stepped riveted lap joint, simple riveted lap joint and two-riveted lap joint have significant engineering application value for calculating fatigue performance of joint structure and provide scientific proof for design and validation of longitudinal lap joint.