Simulation of Riveting Process in Case of Unsupported Part Presence

The paper is devoted to further extension and development of numerical approach aimed at simulation of riveting process during aircraft assembly (see [1,2,3,4]).

Previous research has shown that developed methodology provides reliable results if the rigid motion of bodies being assembled is forbidden. However, some small parts in the airframe assemblies are not supported prior to the junction and can freely move as a rigid body. This fact introduces additional difficulties when solving corresponding contact problem.

The paper is devoted to description and analysis of two different modeling approaches that allow taking unsupported parts into consideration when simulating airframe assembly process.