Riveted joint limit states: A riveted structural joint may fail by which of the following mechanisms under load?

Introduction / Context:
Although high-strength bolts dominate modern practice, many legacy bridges and buildings use riveted joints. Understanding all plausible failure modes remains important for assessment and retrofits. A riveted joint has multiple interacting limit states involving both the fasteners and the connected plates.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Lap or butt type riveted joint under static shear and bearing.
• Standard shop or field-driven rivets with proper heads and holes.
• Plates in single or double shear configurations.

Concept / Approach:
Principal limit states include: shear failure of the rivet shank; bearing (crushing) of plate or rivet material at the interface; and tearing or shear-out of the plate (including net-section tension and block shear). Each can govern depending on plate thickness, edge distance, hole diameter, and rivet spacing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Check rivet shear capacity against factored shear demand.Check plate and rivet bearing stress: bearing = load / (hole diameter * plate thickness).Check plate net-section tension and block shear using net area after hole deductions.Identify the lowest capacity among all; that mode governs failure.

Verification / Alternative check:
Worked examples in steel handbooks show cases where any of these limit states can control depending on detailing. Conservative design ensures none of the capacities is exceeded.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Options a–d each describe a single mechanism; in reality all are possible, so the comprehensive answer is “all the above.”

Common Pitfalls:

• Ignoring block shear and net tension, which can be critical with large holes or short edge distances.
• Assuming rivet shear alone governs without checking bearing stresses.

Final Answer:
all the above