In this paper, an experimental test programme and finite element analysis have been carried out for unidirectional cotton/epoxy tubes under different compressive loading conditions. Effect of loading conditions on the crushing behaviour, energy absorption and failure mechanism of cotton/epoxy tubes were examined. Crush failure modes were inspected using the photographs taken while crushing the specimens. Numerical results show that local stress has been concentrated at the loaded two opposite sides. Experimental results show that the pre-crush failure stage was dominated by symmetric bending, while the localized transverse matrix cracking and delamination dominated the failure mechanism at post crush failure stage. The results showed also that laterally loaded cotton/epoxy tubes exhibited a stable crushing mechanism compare to the axially tube.
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