ABSTRACT
The study of coupled instabilities of thin-walled columns with open cross-sections, made of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) and Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) is presented. The FGM layers are a thermal barrier whereas the FML composite laminate provides rigidity and strength. The non-linear problem of buckling was solved by the analytical-numerical method (ANM) based on Koiter’s theory using the classical laminate theory. Interaction of the global buckling modes with different local buckling modes was discussed. A plate model of thin-walled structures was adopted. Each column was made of a FML sublayer, a single AL-TiC-type FGM layer and a TiC ceramic layer. The layup configuration of the FML-FGM composite is non-symmetric, so the coupling matrix B is non-trivial. The influence of particular matrix B elements on stability and load-carrying capacity of open cross-section columns was analyzed.
