An analytical approach for local buckling analysis of initially delaminated composite thin-walled columns with open and closed sections

Local buckling of intact thin-walled columns is generally performed by modeling the wall segments as long plates and by assuming that edges common to two or more plates remain straight. Thus, the buckling load can be determined by considering the wall segments as individual plates rotationally restrained by the adjacent wall segments. This technique is combined with plate theories as a new analytical method to predict the buckling load of an initially delaminated column with any arbitrary sections (open or closed). First, moments at the rotationally restrained edges of delaminated segment (web or flange) are obtained from the curvature and stiffness of the adjacent laminates. Then, the strain energy of this delaminated segment with distributed moment at edges is calculated based on the first-order shear deformation theory. Using the principal of minimum potential energy, the governing equations are obtained and solved by the Rayleigh–Ritz approximation technique. Results of the present approach are compared with three-dimensional finite-element results obtained from eigenvalue buckling analysis in ANSYS software for both box- and channel-section columns with cross-ply and angle-ply stacking sequences. Finally, the effects of delamination size and location are investigated on the buckling loads.