A model to describe the high rate performance of self-piercing riveted joints in sheet aluminium

► Interlock failure mode present in all specimens tested at low high rate. ► Reduction in joint performance for the tension and shear specimens with increasing rate. ► Empirical model relating performance to rate. ► Reduced performance explained by a change in friction between the rivet and locking sheet. ► Design of fixture and force transducer to test U shaped specimens critical to the findings.