Evaluation of clamping force in hot-driven rivets of the Botlekbrug

Hot-driven rivets were used for the construction of steel structures up until bolted and welded joints replaced them. In shear riveted connections, the applied load is transmitted by frictional and/or shear forces, depending on the magnitude of the clamping force. The clamping force, i.e. the normal force in the rivet, is correlated with fatigue life because the load transfer mechanism strongly influences the local stress distribution around the hole of the rivet. The variation in clamping force is partially responsible for the large scatter of the fatigue resistance of riveted connections when compared to the plain material. The present work shows the results of dedicated laboratory work aimed to measure the clamping force in rivets installed on a Dutch bridge, the Botlekbrug. A comparison is made with the test data present by others.