What is rivet length comprised of?

Rivet length is determined not just by the thickness of the materials being joined, but also by the additional material necessary for forming the shop head, which is the manufactured head on the rivet that provides the fastening mechanism. The grip length is the portion of the rivet that encompasses the total thickness of the materials being joined together. It is critical for this measurement to account for both the grip length and the additional length required to form a proper shop head. Without this consideration, the rivet may not expand and hold the materials together effectively, leading to potential structural failures.

In contrast, other potential answers focus on incomplete definitions. Simply measuring material thickness does not encompass the requirements necessary for a secure rivet installation. The length of the shank alone does not incorporate the necessary elements for installation. Similarly, diameter and grip length do not provide a complete picture of what contributes to the effective rivet length; it misses the shop head consideration which is essential. Thus, understanding that rivet length is effectively a combination of grip length and the material required for the shop head provides a comprehensive view of proper riveting technique in aircraft structural repairs.