A simple engineering theoretical approach is presented in this paper which is able to predict the initial constrained torsional response of a specific class of thin-walled open-section and single-cell closed-section carbon fibre composite beams. The fiat walls of the composite beams are symmetrically laminated about their own mid-planes and possess membrane orthotropy. The laminated fiats are assembled in such a way that the stiffness distribution round the section is of a symmetrically disposed nature and thus the flanges of a composite box-section, for example, can have a different lay-up configuration to that of the section webs. Beams of this type are essentially uncoupled in their overall stiffnesses and thus it is possible to apply axial load or bending to the sections without inducing torsional behaviour.
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