1.

3 Hot-Driven Rivets
Through at least 1949, A141 specified the yield
point and tensile strength of rivet steel, as
indicated in Table 1.1a. For many years now,
however, rivets standards have specified the
material hardness instead. Hardness is generally
related to tensile strength as indicated by tables
in ASTM A370. All material requirements refer
to the un-driven rivet.
The 1963 AISC Specification included
three ASTM standards for rivet steel:
• A141 Structural Rivet Steel,
• A195 High-Strength Rivet Steel, and
• A406 High-Strength Structural Alloy
Rivet Steel.
A195 and A406 were introduced for use with the
higher-strength steels that were included in the
AISC Specification at that time. A406 was
discontinued in 1965 without replacement. A141
was discontinued in 1967 and replaced by A502.
A195 was also discontinued in the 1960s.
The 1969 AISC Specification included only
A502, Grade 1 or Grade 2, Specification for
Structural Rivets. The A502 specification was
originally published in 1964, combining and
including previous discontinued rivet steel
specifications (A141 and A195). The 1978 AISC
Specification and subsequent editions have
included A502 Grades 1, 2, and 3.
A502-93 defined three grades, with Grades
2 and 3 as the higher-hardness (higher-strength)
grades. Grade 3 has enhanced atmospheric
corrosion with resistance to weathering
comparable to that of A588/A588M steel.
Hardness values specified in A502 are listed in
Table 1.3a. In 1999, A502-93 was discontinued
without replacement.
Allowable stresses for hot-driven rivets as
specified by AISC over the years are
summarized in Table 1.3b. Design strengths
according to AISC LRFD specifications are
given in Table 1.3c. The latter must be used in
conjunction with factored loads. Certain strength
reductions for long connections may apply. Also,
the combined effects of tension and shear must
be considered where both are present. Other
design limitations may apply. Stress calculations
are always based on the nominal body area
before driving, even though the area after driving