Advanced substitute model for punch rivets joints

Mechanical joining techniques have the advantage that they can be used to join different types of materials in a safe process, without the negative effects of heat on the material properties. A number of mechanical joining techniques, such as semi-tubular punch rivets and direct screw joints are therefore used on multi-material mixes in automobile manufacturing. Until now, there has been a lack of simulation models and characteristic joint data that would make the use of these joining techniques more effective, particularly in crash-relevant areas, with the aid of predictions about the load-bearing behavior of these joints under crash conditions. A substitute model for semi-tubular punch rivets was therefore refined, a method for determining its parameters has been identified and validated through component trial simulations.