THE design of airplane joints and fastenings has become a very important problem, for approximately 50% of the total cost of a modern all-metal air frame is made up of the costs of fastening together the many bits and pieces that constitute the structure.
When the metal airplane was developed, manufacturers resorted to new methods of fastening, such as rivets, spot welding, and various types of removable fasteners, in place of the bolts, screws, and glue of earlier days. Later, cementing became feasible even for metal fabrication, with the aid of the new resin adhesives.
Mr. Jenkins gives here an analysis of the structural behavior of both continuous connections, such as cemented joints, and discontinuous connections, such as riveted and spot-welded joints.
