Abstract

This study deals with an application of the method of the coefficient of variation in strength prediction of the self-piercing riveted joints. Defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, the coefficient of variation may be used in both the reliability-based design of self-piercing riveted joints and in the evaluation of existing products. In this study, the concept and definition of the coefficient of variation are stated. The procedure of the use of coefficient of variation for approximate calculations of tensile strength of the self-piercing riveted joints is presented and compared with the classical Taylor Expansion method. This is illustrated with a numerical example.

Key words: Coefficient of variation; self-piercing riveted joint; strength prediction; statistical parameter; approximate calculation.