Static and dynamic failure behaviour of bolted joints in carbon fibre composites

An experimental test series of mechanically fastened bolted joints with countersunk head in quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy composite laminates under quasi-static and dynamic loads with velocities up to 10 m/s has been conducted in order to investigate potential strain rate effects on the failure behaviour. The test campaign covered bolt pull-through tests, single lap shear tests with one and two bolts and coach peel tests. Identical test equipment has been used for the whole range of test velocities to avoid influences of different test machines. No rate sensitivity occurred for most test configurations. Only the single lap shear tests with two bolts showed a change of failure mode at the highest test velocity enabling higher energy absorption.