What type of loads is primarily responsible for most rivet failures?

Rivet failures are primarily caused by shear loads due to the nature of how rivets function in a joint. When a rivet is used to connect two pieces of material, it is typically subjected to shear forces when the parts experience lateral loads or forces trying to slide one piece past the other. The rivet is designed to hold these materials together; however, when the shear stress exceeds the shear strength of the rivet material, it can lead to shear failures.

In the context of riveted connections, it's important to understand that the shear capacity of the rivet is often a limiting factor in the design, particularly in structural applications. Therefore, engineers take great care to calculate expected shear forces in order to prevent failures due to excessive loading conditions.

While other types of loads, such as tension, compression, and bending, can impact the overall structural integrity of a joint, shear is the most critical when specifically considering the mechanics of how rivets are loaded in assembled conditions. This insight underscores the importance of proper design and material selection in riveted connections for structural safety.