A model is selected for the study of delamination buckling of a short
laminated orthotropic tube under axial compression. Delamination is as
sumed to exist prior to loading and it spans the entire circumference.
On the basis of total Lagrangian description and axisymmetric assumpt
ion, a nonlinear finite element method is formulated to examine nonlin
ear post-buckling behavior. Then, for treating the contact of delamina
tion face caused by the effect of curvature, the nonlinear finite elem
ent program is associated with a quadratic programming procedure. Usin
g the path independent J-integral defined for axisymmetric finite defo
rmation, the energy release rate is calculated. The load-carrying capa
city of the delaminated tube and the stability of delamination growth
are examined in terms of the critical buckling load and the energy rel
ease rate, respectively.