Application of shell elements to buckling-analysis of thin-walled somposite laminated beams

Fibre-reinforced polymer laminas are formed by embedding continuous fibres in a resin matrix, which binds the fibres together forming a composite ply. The plies are then stacked together in a certain sequence1 to form composite-laminated plates (figure 1). The use of fibre-reinforced polymer laminas as a construction material has increased in recent years. The primary reason for this increase is their non-corrosive nature and long term durability, high tensile strength-toweight ratio, electromagnetic neutrality and resistance to chemical attack. Because of their high strength to weight ratios slender structural components may be formed by using composite laminates due to which, however, buckling may become a main concern, and fibre orientation and boundary conditions of the laminated plates are important parameters determining the buckling behaviour.