How do you calculate the required length of a solid rivet?

To determine the required length of a solid rivet, it is essential to consider both the thickness of the materials being joined and the diameter of the rivet. The correct calculation adds the total thickness of the materials together with a specific amount related to the rivet diameter.

The correct answer involves adding the thickness of the materials to 1.5 times the diameter of the rivet, which accounts for the necessary length of rivet to ensure adequate clamping and forming of the rivet head. This formula takes into consideration that the rivet must not only penetrate through the materials but also provide enough material to form a secure and supportive joint when the rivet is deformed during installation.

Using 1.5 times the diameter helps ensure that there is enough rivet material to create a head that will adequately secure the joint and withstand various loads the assembly might encounter during its service life. This is particularly important in aerospace applications, where structural integrity is critical.

In contrast, simply adding the diameter or doubling it does not provide sufficient length for head formation or for accommodating potentially altered material thicknesses in real-world applications. Therefore, the chosen method reflects a common and practical engineering standard that ensures the rivet joint performs reliably under required conditions.