Abstract:
The effects of pre-tighten force, tooth length and stress level on static and fatigue performances of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) pre-tighten single tooth connector (PTSTC) were investigated by tests. The test results show that the fatigue ultimate load-capacity of CFRP PTSTC reaches to 80%-85% of the static ultimate load-capacity, and comparing with traditional connection methods such as bolt connection etc., the fatigue performance of it has advantages at some degree. The pre-tighten load can improve the static and fatigue performances of CFRP single tooth connector significantly. The static ultimate load-capacity of CFRP PTSTC increases with the tooth-length increasing, but increasing the tooth-length would not necessarily improves the fatigue life of the connector under the same load level, especially, the fatigue life reduces with the tooth-length increases under lower load level. The fatigue crack of PTSTC initiates rapidly during the early loading period, then grows slowly, and propagates sharply again in the last few cycles before fracture. The pre-tighten load can slow down the fatigue damage accumulation rate. The stiffness degeneration during fatigue process of PTSTC is not obviously, which is only 1%-4% in the former 95% of the fatigue life. The pre-tighten load can also slow down the stiffness degeneration rate. The investigation conclusions obtained can provide references for the anti-fatigue design of composite connector.