Structural and load-bearing applications place extreme demands on fasteners. In these environments, the decision between rivets and bolts can influence not only performance but also long-term safety and compliance with engineering standards.
Bolted joints are widely favored in modern structural applications due to their superior load capacity and controllability. By applying a specific preload, bolts create strong clamping forces that allow joints to resist both tensile and shear loads effectively. This is especially important in steel structures, bridges, and heavy machinery.
Rivets, while strong in shear, lack the adjustable preload that bolts provide. As a result, riveted joints may experience joint slip or deformation under high tensile loads, limiting their suitability for critical structural connections.
Fatigue failure is a major concern in load-bearing structures subjected to vibration or cyclic loading. Properly preloaded bolts reduce micro-movements between joined components, significantly improving fatigue resistance.
Rivets perform well under steady shear loads but may suffer from gradual loosening or hole elongation under repeated stress cycles. This is one reason why bolted connections have largely replaced rivets in modern structural engineering.
Bolted joints offer clear advantages in inspection and maintenance. Torque checks, visual inspection, and easy replacement make bolts suitable for structures requiring regular monitoring. Riveted joints are permanent, making inspection more challenging and repairs more labor-intensive.
Most contemporary building codes and structural standards favor bolted connections due to their predictability and ease of verification. Rivets are still present in legacy structures but are rarely specified in new large-scale projects.
In structural and load-bearing applications, bolts provide superior performance, safety, and long-term reliability. While rivets still have niche uses, bolted joints have become the industry standard for critical structural connections.