Fiber direction and stacking sequence design for bicycle frame made of carbon/epoxy composite laminate

According to the maximum stress theory and the results of strength-to-stress ratios, the fiber direction and stacking sequence design for the bicycle frame made of the carbon/epoxy composite laminates have been discussed in this paper. Three testing methods for the bicycle frame, i.e. torsional, frontal, and vertical loadings, are adopted in the analysis. From the finite element results, the stacking sequences [0/90/90/0]s and [0/90/45/−45]s are the good designs for the composite bicycle frames. On the contrary, the uni-directional laminates, i.e. [0/0/0/0]s, [90/90/90/90]s, [45/45/45/45]s and [−45/−45/−45/−45]s, are the bad designs. In addition, weak regions of failure occur at the fillets and connections of the frame, i.e. the stress concentration regions. All weak points occur at the inner or outer layer of the laminated composite tube. The 0°-ply and 90°-ply located on the inner and outer layer of the tube can effectively resist the higher stress at its location.