Testing of Rivets Taken from Maine Truss Bridge.
Published: 2016
Publication Name: Report to the MaineDOT,
Publication URL: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/30968
Abstract:
The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has removed 25 rivets from an existing, older truss bridge.
Many such truss bridges have low rating factors as determined using Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines due to the
assumption of conservatively low rivet strength properties in the absence of known properties. To provide the
MaineDOT with better information regarding rivet properties, The University of Maine (UMaine) has tested the
rivets in tension to determine their strength properties. Work conducted under this task included assessing the best
test method based on existing literature, fabricating test fixtures, machining test specimens from each rivet,
conducting the strength tests, determining rivet strength properties from the test data, and reporting the test
results to the MaineDOT in this report.
Rivet testing was conducted according to ASTM F606 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Mechanical
Properties of Externally and Internally Threaded Fasteners, Washers, Direct Tension Indicators, and Rivets [
and ASTM E8 Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials with variations as noted in this
report. Rivets were machined to produce tension specimen with threaded grips at each end and a turned-
down shank with dimensions adjusted from the standards to match provided rivet specimen. Rivets were tested
in tension and mean yield strength (0.2% offset) was found to be 43.7 ksi and mean ultimate strength was found
to be 69.6 ksi.