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Abstract This paper was dealt with buckling and post-buckling behavior of short thin-walled Z-columns made of a carbon-epoxy laminate, subjected to eccentric compressive load. The buckling mode and the buckling load of real structures versus load eccentricity were discussed. The study involved both experimental tests were carried out on real laminated structures and numerical simulations by the finite element method. The buckling load of real structures was determined by approximation methods on the basis of experimental and numerical post-buckling equilibrium paths of the structure. Additionally, in numerical simulations, the bifurcation load value was determined by solving an eigen problem. In all cases, experimental findings and numerical results show high agreement. The study determined the quantitative influence of the direction and value of compressive load eccentricity on the buckling load and rigidity of the structure in the post-buckling state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]