Local buckling of FRP thin-walled plates, shells and hollow sections with curved edges and arbitrary lamination

Extensive studies have been undertaken on the local buckling of FRP members. However, scope existing research largely remains limited to those with rectangular faces. As geometry member faces can affect capacity, thin-walled members possess higher loads for a given volume material when properly shaped. such, consideration non-rectangular is necessary, not only cater applications where profiles are commonly used, but also exploit potential optimization capacity capable by using nonstandard cross-sections. In addition, fibre layup lamella, and therefore resulting mechanical properties face laminates, influences structural member. Hence, optimal section should consider layups laminate. This paper presents semi-analytical solution arbitrary stacking sequence. The methodology adopts Rayleigh–Ritz energy approach in combination Discrete Plate Analysis. Verifications shown that predict sections acceptable levels accuracy.