The shapes of rivets and rivet heads were given in the previous plate. Three examples of riveted joints are here given. That shown in Fig. 7 is a single riveted lap joint. The general usuage governing the spacing of the rivets for such a joint is: - The distance from the edge of the plate to the rivet hole, or to the next rivet hole, shall not be less than the diameter of the rivet, the shearing stress on the rivet and the tearing limit of the plate being assumed to be about equal. The thickness of the plates and the diameter of the rivets are determined by the pressure to which the joint is to be subjected. The objection to a lap is that the straining force of one plate is not in line with the joint, but tends to bend it with consequent weakening effect.

A single riveted butt joint is shown in Fig. 8, the edges of the plate being brought together, and a strap of suitable width covering it. Two straps, one on either side of the joint, are also used, thus over-coming the bending action previously mentioned, and to which a butt joint is subject to nearly the same amount as the lap joint, with a single strap butt joint it is customary to use a strap which is one-tenth to one-eighth thicker than the plates. When two straps are used the thickness of each is about five-eighths that of the plate.

The double riveted butt joint is shown in Fig. 9, the spacing between rivets being clearly shown. A simple riveted joint has about 60 per cent the strength of the plate, and a double riveted joint about 75 per cent. As constructional requirments frequent necessitate joints so shaped as not to permit of riveting in the ways just shown, the shapes shown in Figs. 10 to 13 are used. Fig. 10 is that known as angle iron, its thickness being generally a little greater than that of the plates used with it. A slight taper is also given it so that the root will be thicker than the edges. Fig. 11 shows a T iron, used for holding plates and also stiffening them against flexure. Fig. 12 gives a shape of channel iron, much used in locomotive construction. Fig 13 is H iron, which is another commonly used shape.