Buckling of composite columns of lipped-channel and hat sections with web stiffener

The buckling of thin-walled composite columns in hat sections and lipped-channel sections reinforced with web stiffener is studied. The columns were composed of symmetric angle-ply laminates. The finite element method was used to investigate the buckling behaviour of the columns. Bifurcation analyses were carried out to obtain the buckling load and mode shapes of the columns. Load-deflection analyses were performed to study the post-buckling behaviour of the columns. The results showed significant effects of ply angle and geometric parameters on the buckling and post-buckling behaviour of the columns. This research provides a guide for improving the loading capacity of composite columns.