Simplified modelling of self-piercing riveted joints and application in crashworthiness analysis for steel-aluminium hybrid beams

In this paper, an equivalent simplified model of self-piercing riveting (SPR-ESM) validated by tests is constructed to characterize the macroscopic mechanical responses of SPR joints under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The application of SPR-ESM in the crashworthiness analysis of steel-aluminium hybrid beam is investigated. The results reveal that the failure of the riveting point in the test specimen is accurately simulated by the numerical model connected by SPR-ESM, and relative errors of mechanical responses between simulation and test are controlled within 7 %. Parametric study is performed to explore the effect of the riveting point failure on the mechanical performance of steel-aluminium hybrid beam under different loading angles. The results indicate that: (1) a severe instability deformation mode of steel-aluminium hybrid beam is easily to happen when the loading angles increases; (2) the effect of riveting point failure on the mechanical performance of steel-aluminium hybrid beam is limited when the beam has a stable folding deformation; and (3) a significant decrease in the ability of resisting deformation and energy absorption is easily to happen when the steel-aluminium hybrid beam has a severe instability deformation mode.