Abstract
This paper presents a comparative analysis to investigate the effect of laminate stacking sequences with different couplings subjected to axial loading. The objective of this paper is also to demonstrate the effect of the various coupling stiffnesses on the stability behavior of laminated profiles. Five configurations with the same number of layers were selected. Based on Classical Laminate Theory (CLT), the complex effects of coupling that can occur in laminates were assessed. Their influence on the buckling mode and post-buckling behavior of the tested profiles was also assessed. By selecting these standard ply orientations, the study establishes a direct experimental comparison to assess the effect of Bending-Twisting (B-T) coupling and Extension-Shearing Bending-Twisting (E-S, B-T) coupling on buckling behavior of simply supported and axially compressed laminated profiles. The results enable correlation between laminate coupling coefficients and the observed buckling modes obtained from digital image correlation system and axial stiffness of Ω- and Z-profiles.