Influence of Composite Lay-Up on the Stability of Channel-Section Profiles Weakened by Cut-Outs: A Numerical Investigation

This paper presents a numerical study on the stability of composite channel-section profiles weakened by cut-outs. Profiles were made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates and subjected to compression load. Numerical analysis carried out in the Abaqus software allowed us to determine the value of the buckling load and the corresponding buckling form. Four different laminate lay-ups were chosen to study their effects on the buckling behaviour of the profiles. Obtained results help identify the best laminate lay-up to get the highest critical buckling load for perforated columns. The performed analysis shows that [45/-45/90/0]s and [90/-45/45/0]s composite lay-ups have the greatest impact on the buckling load. Moreover, the introduced perforation caused a change in the buckling form and a decrease in the critical load value.