Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Clinch Connections of Thin-Walled Building Structures

Abstract

The high energy intensity of industry and the importance of natural resources are currently much-discussed topics. Light steel structures made from thin-walled cold-formed (TWCF) profiles play an important role in this discussion because their increased use has significantly reduced the consumption of conventional structural steel. New, more efficient technologies for connections of the TWCF structures, such as punch riveting and clinching, are being developed, which are advantageous in terms of cost and time. An innovative way to obtain the physical properties of a clinch joint and instructions for a detailed reliability assessment of this type of connection is described in this article. The resulting behaviour of the numerical model based on the tensile test of the basic material and suitable boundary conditions was validated by a physical experiment. The computational procedures presented in the article will facilitate the design of steel structures in the field of global static analysis of TWCF light steel structures because the described methods can be generalised and applied in commonly available commercial software. Two variants of the model were prepared and evaluated—with and without slippage in the press jaws. Comparison of the numerical model and experimental results shows compliance.

Numerical investigation of tool parameter influence on the interlock forming during flat clinching process

“…Experiments have often been used to adjust tool geometry and process parameters in the clinching process, which take a lot of time and quite expensive. To overcome this problem, the nite element method is frequently used to investigate the joining process, mechanical properties, and failure mechanisms of the clinched joints [25]. Wang et al[26] carried out the investigations and modeling for clinch joining process design using nite element simulation.…”

Development of clinching process for various materials

“…Flodr et al [96], Berezhnoi et al [97], and Jonas et al [98] studied the mechanical properties of the clinched joint using the finite elements method. The authors found the functional relationship between forming force and geometry of clinched joint.…”

Scheduling the Process of Robot Welding of Thin-Walled Steel Sheet Structures under Constraint

“…The subject of a thin-walled structure is frequently analyzed in the literature [44]. The research mainly includes inter alia, strength analysis [45], stability assessment [46] and the very important aspect of structure joining [47,48]. The considered detail is a product manufactured by the facility from small and medium-sized enterprises.…”