Self-piercing riveting process: Prediction of joint characteristics through finite element and neural network modeling

Developing robust numerical simulation tools to investigate the self-piercing riveting process is critical, since the feasibility, quality and strength of riveted connections relies on the successful formation of mechanical interlocks between the rivet and sheet materials. In the present study, we investigate the riveting of aluminum alloy and dual-phase steel sheets (AA7075-F/DP600 and AA6016-T4/DP600) over a wide range of sheet thicknesses, as...