Cold-driven rivets – usual diameter range used in structural work Cold-driven (not heated) rivets are commonly limited to which nominal diameter range?

Introduction / Context:
Riveting in steelwork historically used both hot-driven and cold-driven rivets. Cold driving (no heating) is practical only for small diameters; larger rivets are hot-driven to ensure proper upsetting and tightness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Cold-driven rivets are installed without heating.
• Structural steel fabrication practices and typical diameter limits apply.
• Nominal diameters are in millimetres.

Concept / Approach:
Because plastic deformation and head formation are harder without heating, cold-driven rivets are generally restricted to small sizes. In many traditional specifications, cold-driven rivets are up to about 10–12 mm, with 6–10 mm being the typical working range.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recognize cold driving limits → keep diameters small.Among the options, the only unambiguously “small” range is 6–10 mm.Therefore select 6 to 10 mm.

Verification / Alternative check:
Hot-driven rivets usually cover 12–22 mm and beyond, confirming that 6–10 mm aligns with cold-driven practice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 10–16 mm or 12–22 mm: commonly hot-driven ranges.
• 22–32 mm: far too large for cold driving.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming modern HSFG bolts and historic rivets share the same handling; cold driving is much more limited in diameter.

Final Answer:
6 to 10 mm in diameter