Doug Hoffman wrote:
Andrew wrote:


It is my understanding that the bucked rivet, which has
been
used over the years in aluminum aircraft, is stronger than the
pull-
type pop rivet. In consideration of the Zenith Aircraft 601
and 701,
how is it that they are using a Textron Brand pull-type rivet?
Has
there been some breakthrough in material or design in theses
Textron
pop rivets making them comparable to the old style "bucked"
rivets?

Apparently Zenith took into account the
strength of the Textron pull rivets when
designing the aircraft. Perhaps this meant
they used more pull rivets than solid bucked
rivets. Whatever. If the design accounts for the
strength of the fasteners then there is
no problem.

--
Doug via Treo handheld

That is correct, Doug. I think his basic formula is along the lines of( 4
pulled rivets = 3 bucked rivets = 1 AN bolt). That may not be exactly right
but you get the idea. It's been a long time since I read that part of my
build manual.

When I started and bought all my rivets Zenith was even specific on which
Avdel "Avex" rivets you used. The ones made in the UK were OK those made in
other places were not. The design shear strength is 110 & 180psi depending
on which size is used. The proper rivets are 130 and 220 psi.

After years of bilding I have little doubt that you could probably remove
every other rivet in the aircraft and it would still fly. Not that I'd try
it.



Andrew, the Zenith website has quite a bit on Chris' design theories.