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Floor rivet requirements?
scoobyis2cool - 8/8/03 at 04:37 PM

Ive just finished fitting my floorpan with adhesive and rivets and i was wondering if there are any requirements about the number of rivets you use? Ive used about 34 which seems to be a lot less than other people but i would have thought combined with the adhesive it would be more than strong enough, any comments?

Wadders - 8/8/03 at 05:26 PM

AFAIK there is no actual requirement that specifies such things, and i don't think you will have a problem with it. So long as the panels are secure and look solid you will be ok.

i]Originally posted by scoobyis2cool
Ive just finished fitting my floorpan with adhesive and rivets and i was wondering if there are any requirements about the number of rivets you use? Ive used about 34 which seems to be a lot less than other people but i would have thought combined with the adhesive it would be more than strong enough, any comments?

scoobyis2cool - 9/8/03 at 01:20 AM

great, thanks for that, thought id just check before i put the rest of the car together, wont be so easy to turn over once its fully assembled (except maybe at 120mph!)

scoobyis2cool - 14/8/03 at 04:50 PM

For anyone who's interested, i found out that the floor acts as a stressed member in the frame so the stronger it is the more it restricts frame flexibility. I added another 66 rivets in between the ones i already had to strengthen it up a bit

DavidC - 15/8/03 at 10:59 PM

I've gotta say, if you're after structural rigidity from the floor, you should consider using an aluminium honeycomb sandwich structure.

Similarly, ally honeycomb bonded into the sides would work wonders too, and increase crash protection.

It's one thing I'm condering doing to my Westfi3ld when I get to it's 1st rebuild (gotta finish the build yet!!!)

DC

www.dcane.dsl.pipex.com/new_toy.jpg

mreveready - 3/9/03 at 04:16 PM

Guys,
Think laterally!
Do not forget the centre tunnel panels! Well the ones you never intend removing. This forms part of the backbone.
Rivets simply hold the panels in place.

All none removable panels are now bonded with a massively over the top bonding sealer. I have been able to use less rivets (The rivet holes do weaken the chassis)
The panels will need to be literally ground off now and the chassis does not lozenge anywhere close to the original specification.

Hope this helps

www.mreveready.com

DaveFJ - 4/9/03 at 07:47 AM

quote:

you should consider using an aluminium honeycomb sandwich structure.


problems with this structure are:

1, Usually skinned with very thin aluminium and therefore prone to 'puncture' which of course removes strength. therefore not really suitable for floor panels.

2, prone to delamination where the skin comes away from the honeycomb, and again you have a loss of strength.