Local buckling behavior of FRP thin-walled beams: A mechanical model

A mechanical model able to predict the local buckling of pultruded FRP thin-walled beams and columns, taking into account the shear deformability of composite materials, is presented in this paper. The model is based on the individual analysis of the buckling of the components of the FRP profile, assumed as elastically restrained transversely isotropic plates. The analysis is developed within the hypotheses of small strains and moderate rotations.