Rivet Shear Strength Calculator
Reviewed by Hamza Gujjar, Algorithm Architect & Software Developer
Last updated: July 27, 2026Rivet Shear Strength Calculator
How much load can a riveted joint actually carry? This calculator computes total single-shear strength based on rivet size, material, and count.
Formula
Rivet Area = π × (Diameter/2)²
Shear Strength Per Rivet = Area × Material Shear Strength
Total Joint Strength = Per-Rivet Strength × Number of Rivets
Example
6mm diameter rivets, 310 MPa shear strength, 8 rivets in the joint:
Per-Rivet Strength = 8,765 N → Total Joint Strength = 70.12 kN
Single-Shear vs. Double-Shear
This calculates single-shear strength, where the rivet is cut across just one plane between two joined plates - double-shear configurations (where the rivet is sandwiched between three plates, cutting across two planes) roughly double the load capacity of the identical rivet size and material.
Other Failure Modes to Check
Real joint design requires checking additional failure modes beyond rivet shear alone - bearing failure of the plate material around the rivet hole, and edge tear-out (the plate material shearing out toward a nearby edge) can each independently govern a joint's actual capacity depending on plate thickness, edge distance, and hole spacing, regardless of how strong the rivets themselves are.