HSB

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page

of

12

Summary
This sheet presents procedures for the prepararion of HSB-tables with static joint strength allowables for structural mechanically fastened metal joints.
Key Words: Joint, fastener, static joint strength, bearing strength, shear strength, tensile strength
References
[1] N. N.: MIL-HDBK 5E
[2] N.N.: Werkstoffhandbuch der Deutschen Luftfahrt
[3] N.N.: HSB, Chapter 10000: Materials
[4] N.N.: Bericht EF-183, DORNIER
1

General

This data sheet gives the procedure for preparing HSB-tables with static joint strength allowables
(see section 21XXX). Procedures are given for the following cases: a) ref.[1] data is available, b)
ref.[1] data does not completely cover the sheet material / fastener concerned, c) joint strength data
is not available at all.
List of Symbols
Symbol
d
dA
e
h
t
t
F
Fbr
F SS/F T S
Rbr
Rbru /Rbry
Rm /Rp0.2 /Rsu
T /U/V

Prepared:

Unit
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
mm
N
N
N
MPa
MPa
MPa
mm/-/mm

Description
nominal fastener diameter
diameter to be used for the analysis
edge distance
fastener head height / countersunk depth
sheet thickness
miminum thickness for shear failure (see Fig.4)
load at failure (general)
allowable bearing load
fastener shear strength / fastener tensile strength
bearing strength (smaller value of Rbru and 1.5 Rbry )
bearing ultimate strength / bearing yield strength
tensile ultimate / yield strength / shear ultimate strength
parameters (see Fig.4)
parameter
sheet thickness correction for countersunk fasteners

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

Overlay WSYHSB001uk

06.01.2009, 12:11, page 1 of 12

HSB
HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

Issue D Year 1988

2

Page

of

12

Analysis

3.1 General
The determination of the static joint strength is based on the following two joint strength diagrams
(see Fig.1 and Fig.2).
The diameter dA is determined as follows:
a) Deformable shank fasteners (e.g. solid rivet, blind rivet)
dA = nominal hole diameter
solid rivets: dA = d + 0.05 mm
blind rivets: dA see ref.[1]
b) Non-deformable shank fasteners (e.g. bolts, blind bolts, Hi-Loks, Lockbolts, Cherrybuck rivets)
dA = nominal shank diameter, see ref.[1]

(F SS)1

(dA )1

(F SS)2

(dA )2

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 2 of 12

transition region
bearing region
t
Figure 1: F t diagram

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

shear cut-off

HSB
HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page

of

12

F/F SS

1.0

(dA )1

(dA )2

Figure 2: F/F SS t/dA diagram

The presentation according to Fig.2 gives a more general type of information than Fig.1, since
tendencies are generalized. In most cases the curves which are valid for different diameters coincide
to only one curve in Fig.2.
For the preparation of the tables containing the static joint strengths, the following data must be
given in order to obtain complete information:
fastener type and material,

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 3 of 12

sheet material,
reference.
The basis for the determination of the data should be the method given in ref.[1]. The static joint
strength allowable is the smaller of the ultimate strength and 1.5 yield strength of the joint.

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

t/dA

HSB

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page

of

12

3.2 Determination of the joint strength allowables, data available

3.2.1 Joint strength values for the joint considered are given in ref.[1]
This means that both the fastener shear strength and the sheet bearing strength of the joint considered are identical with those of the joint given in ref.[1].
Same fastener diameter as in ref.[1]: Only a conversion of the units of ref.[1] to the usual
HSB-units and an interpolation to obtain the allowables for metric sheet thicknesses are required. This can be done either with a diagram according to Fig.1 or a diagram according to
Fig.2. For the HSB-tables standard sheet thicknesses shall be used.
The diameter of the fastener considered is not the same as that given in ref.[1]: The static joint
strength values are determined with the aid of Fig.1 or Fig.2 by interpolation, if necessary.
3.2.2 Only same fastener shear strength as in ref.[1]
Same head type, different sheet materials: For the bearing region and the transition region
the joint strength values are converted to values for the different sheet material. This is done
by using the ratios of the bearing ultimate and bearing yield strength Rbru and Rbry to obtain
the new ultimate and yield strength values. This is permitted only if the bearing strengths of
the sheet material do not differ too much from those of the material for which the allowables
of ref.[1] are valid.
Different head types and same or different sheet materials, e.g. countersunk instead of protruding head: The joint strength allowables are determined according to para 3.3.

The static joint strength values are calculated according to para 3.3. B-values of Rsu , Rbru , Rbry
can be used for solid rivets, A-values shall be used for all other fasteners.
If joint strength allowables are available in ref.[1] for fasteners with the same head type and for the
same material as required for the HSB-table, the allowables of ref.[1] for the bearing region can be
used directly if the fastener shear strength is max. 15 % different from the one given in ref.[1]. The
values in the transition region shall be adapted to meet the different fastener shear strength.
3.2.4 Test data available

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 4 of 12

Sufficient test data available for an analysis according to ref.[1]: The evaluation procedure of ref.[1]
shall be used to determine the joint strength allowables.
Insufficient test data available for an analysis according to ref.[1]: The test data can be used only to
check the allowables determined according to para 3.3.
3.2.5 Static strength of double lap joints
If no test data is available, the joint strength values of double lap joints can be determined on the
basis of the values valid for single lap joints, provided that the same curve of Fig.2 is applied.

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

3.2.3 No allowables in ref.[1], no test data available

HSB

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Issue D Year 1988

Page

of

12

3.3 Determination of the static joint strength allowables, no joint strength data available
3.3.1 Protruding head fasteners

Figure 3: Protruding head, single shear, double shear

transition region
U F SS

Fastener type

U []

V []

Hi-Lok / Hi-Lite / Lockbolt

0.85

1.3

Solid rivet

0.75

1.5

Blind rivet / blind bolt

0.60

1.7

bearing region

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 5 of 12

t =

T [mm]

0
0
0.05 dA

F SS
dA Rbr

V t

Figure 4: F t diagram for protruding head fastener

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

shear cut-off

F SS

HSB
HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page

of

12

The joint strength values are calculated with the relationships shown in Fig.4. The constants U/V /T
have been obtained from data presented in ref.[1].
If allowables or test values are available for a fastener, this data can be used to determine specific
values of U/V /T .
Single shear joint
The joint strength computation shall be made for the sheet or plate with the smaller allowable
bearing load.
a) Bearing region
Fbr = dA t Rbr
Preferably do not design joints with dA /t 5.5.
If dA /t 5.5, the allowable bearing load is calculated as Fbr = 5.5 t2 Rbr .
In general, edge distances shall be such that e/dA 2. The ratio e/dA < 1.5 is not permitted.
The allowable bearing strength Rbr is calculated as follows:


1.5 e/dA 2.0 : Rbr = Rbr,e/dA =1.5 + 2 Rbr,e/dA =2.0 Rbr,e/dA =1.5 (e/dA 1.5)
e/dA 2.0 : Rbr = Rbr,e/dA =2.0
b) Transition region
For the transition region a reduced bearing strength must be used, see Fig.4.
The fastener shear strength F SS should be taken from the applicable fastener specification. If no
data is available from specification the following can be calculated:
F SS =

2
d Rsu
4 A

Double shear joint

The joint strength of a double shear joint is the smaller of the joint strength of the inner sheet and
of the total of the outer sheets. For the joint strength of the outer sheets the joint strength for single
shear is used. For the inner sheet the joint strength is determined with the method for a single lap
joint:
F SSdouble = 2 F SSsingle

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 6 of 12

Ft,double = 2 Ft,single for t/2

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

c) Shear cut-off

HSB

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page

of

12

Material properties
a) Shear strength of the fastener material Rsu
The shear strength of the fastener Rsu is obtained from the applicable fastener specification. If no
value is available, a value can be computed for solid rivets, Hi-Lite, Hi-Lok and Lockbolt fasteners
as the smaller value of Rsu = 0.6 Rm and Rsu = 0.9 Rp0.2 . Values of Rm and Rp0.2 for the
fastener material can be obtained from ref.[1,2]. For blind fasteners only specification values or
test values of Rsu can be used.
b) Bearing strength of the sheet material
The bearing strength of the sheet material Rbr is the smaller of Rbru and 1.5 Rbry . Values of Rbru
and Rbry for the sheet material can be obtained from ref.[1,2,3]. If no values are available, they can
be calculated from the material data Rm and Rp0.2 according to HSB-sheet 20110-01.
3.3.2 Flush head fasteners

Figure 5: Flush head fastener

For the cylindrical part of the hole in the countersunk sheet the same procedure is to be
taken as the one for the sheet containing a protruding head fastener:
Fbr,1 = (t h) dA Rbr
For the countersunk part of the hole in the countersunk sheet the bearing strength has to be
reduced by , i.e.:
Fbr,2 = h dA Rbr

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 7 of 12

solid rivets: =
Hi-Lite / Hi-Lok / Lockbolt / blind fasteners: =

2 Rsu

+ 0.2
3 Rbr
2 Rsu

3 Rbr

The relationships for have been derived from tables with joint strength allowables given in ref.[1],
by comparing joint strength allowables for countersunk fasteners with those of protruding head
fasteners. The reduction factor decreases when the ratio Rsu /Rbr decreases.
The joint strength is:
Fbr = Fbr,1 + Fbr,2
Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

The determination of the static joint strength is similar to that for the protruding head fasteners:

HSB

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Issue D Year 1988

Page

of

12

The joint strength diagram for the flush head fastener (see Fig.6) is derived from the diagram for
the protruding head fastener (see Fig.4).
Point A: FA = h dA Rbr
F FA : the curve for the flush head fastener is obtained as shown in Fig.6.
For FA < F F SS: the curve for the flush head fastener is obtained by shifting the curve
for the protruding head fastener by the value t = (1 ) h in the t-direction.

F
t

shear cut-off

F SS
t

transition region

bearing region, cylindrical area

FA
A

bearing region, countersunk area

T
h

protruding head
countersunk head

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 8 of 12

Figure 6: Determination of the flush head curve from the protruding head curve

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

HSB

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Issue D Year 1988

Page

of

12

3.4 Dimpled sheet

For joints with dimpled sheet the scatter of the joint strength values can be considerable and the
joint strength is dependent on the applied production process to a large extent . Therefore, no
method for determining allowables is given here.
3.5 Allowable tensile load of solid rivets

F
h

dA

dA
F

Figure 7: Tension loading of solid rivets

F T S1 =

2
d Rsu
4 A

F T S2 = 2 h dA Rsu
4

Example, protruding / flush head fastener

Fastener: Hi-Lok, dA = 4.8 mm, 7075-T6: Rsu = 320 MPa, T = 0, U = 0.85, V = 1.3
Sheet material: 2024-T42, t 1.6 mm: Rbr = 570 MPa, t > 1.6 mm: Rbr = 610 MPa

Single shear: F SS = (4.8)2 320 = 5791 N, double shear: F SS = 2 5791 = 11582 N

4

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 9 of 12

Bearing load at failure:

t 1.6 mm: Fbr = t 4.8 570 N
t > 1.6 mm: Fbr = t 4.8 610 N
Flush head: h = k = 1.2 mm, =

Prepared:

2 320

= 0.37, t = (1 0.37) 1.2 = 0.76 mm

3 570

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

The fastener tensile strength F T S is the smaller of the two following values (see ref.[4]):

HSB

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Point
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

t [mm]
4.8/5.5 = 0.87
1.60
1.60
4922/(4.8 610) = 1.68
5791/(4.8 610) = 1.98
1.3 1.98 = 2.57
9845/(4.8 610) = 3.36
11582/(4.8 610) = 3.96
1.3 3.95 = 5.14

Issue D Year 1988

Page 10

of

12

F [N]
0.87 4.8 570 = 2380
1.6 4.8 570 = 4378
1.6 4.8 610 = 4685
0.85 5791 = 4922
5791
5791
0.85 11582 = 9845
11582
11582

F [N]

11582

9 double shear

5791

single shear

3
2

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06.01.2009, 12:11, page 10 of 12

t [mm]
Figure 8: F t diagram, single / double shear, protruding head
Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

HSB

21020-01

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Protruding head

t [mm]

F [N]

1
2
3
4

1.60
1.60
1.68
2.57

4378
4685
4922
5791

Countersunk head
A
1
2
3
4

Issue D Year 1988

Page 11
t [mm]
1.20
2.36
2.36
2.44
3.33

of

12

F [N]
1215
4378
4685
4922
5791

F [N]

4922
4685
4378

2
1

3
2
1

protruding head

countersunk head
0.76

Overlay WSYHSB001uk

06.01.2009, 12:11, page 11 of 12

1215

1.2

t [mm]

Figure 9: F t diagram, single shear, protruding / flush head

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

5791

HSB
HANDBUCH STRUKTUR
BERECHNUNG

Procedure for the determination

of the static joint strength values
of mechanically fastened metal joints

21020-01
Issue D Year 1988
Page 12

of

12

Application

The procedures given herein can be used for joints with metallic sheets and the following fasteners:
solid rivets, Hi-Lites, Hi-Loks, Lockbolts, blind fasteners.
The following requirements have to be met:
dA /t < 5.5

e/dA 2

Prepared:

Checked:

Groth

Date:

Schneider

16.03.1988

MBB-UF

c
Industrie
Ausschuss Struktur Berechnungsunterlagen (IASB). All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document

Overlay WSYHSB001uk

06.01.2009, 12:11, page 12 of 12

Some procedures are given for the exceptional case that dA /t 5.5 and / or 1.5 e/dA < 2.0.