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 0°/45°/?45°/90°]_S and 90°/45°/?45°/0°]_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 0°/45°/?45°/90°]_S and 90°/45°/?45°/0°]_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.