To investigate mechanical response of CFRP material under shock loading, a dynamic constitutive equation and yield criterion considering strain rate effects, which are based on bridging model, were used to conduct the design optimization and analyses the dynamic compressive strength of CFRP laminates. The calculated mechanical properties of some laminates under different strain rates are first compared with the experimental results, which are obtained from relevant literatures. The results calculated by improved bridging model and theoretical model are agreed well with the test results. Then, through analyzing some structure design schemes, one structure design scheme is selected and manufactured to conduct medium strain rate compressive tests. The previous theoretical results are consistent with experimental results. This work can be used for the optimization design and predict the property of CFRP laminate structure under shock loading. © 2017, Editorial Department of Transaction of Beijing Institute of Technology. All right reserved.