Bearing strength of carbon epoxy laminates under static and dynamic loading

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate both the static and dynamic bearing strengths of a pinned-joint carbon epoxy composite plate with [0degrees/45degrees/-45degrees/90degrees]s and [90degrees/45degrees/-45degrees/0degrees]s stacking configurations. The static and dynamic experiments have been carried out according to the ASTM D953 standards and ASTM STP 749, respectively [ASTM D 953-D, Standard Test method for Bearing Strength of Plastics, ASTM Designation. 342; Joining of Composite Materials, ASTM STP 749, American Society for Testing and Materials (1981) 131]. The ratio of the edge distance to the pin diameter (E/D), and that of the width to the pin diameter (W/D) of the specimens were varied to obtain the static bearing strength and the S-N fatigue curve. The experiments show that the static bearing strengths reach their upper limit when E/D and W/D ratios are equal to or greater than 4 for both [0degrees/ 45degrees/-45degrees/90degrees]s and [90degrees/45degrees/-45degrees/0degrees]s stacking sequences. The fatigue strength, on the other hand, reduces by up to 65% as E/D and W/D ratios increase for both stacking configurations. Published by Elsevier Ltd.