Patent ID: 8388292

Claim:
A structural assembly, comprising: a first structure comprising a first hole having a first diameter; a second structure comprising a second hole having a second diameter, approximately equal to the first diameter; a fastener dimensioned to fit in the first hole and the second hole, wherein the fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state; wherein the fastener is heated above an austenite start transition temperature, such that the fastener initiates free expansion from the second shape back to the first shape and establishes physical contact with the surface of the first hole and the second hole, and further heated such that the first structure and the second structure proximate the holes and the fastener undergo plastic deformation, wherein the fastener comprises a body and opposing collars adapted to fit at opposing ends of the fastener.