The present paper presents a consistent model of a three dimensional delaminated composite column with a proper consideration of the extensional and bending stiffness coupling and transverse shear effect to determine the axial buckling load. The exact analytical solution of the buckling force is obtained using the linearized stability theory. The three dimensional model allows us to consider a rather general set of delaminations including those that are not necessarilly perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the cross-section or/and have non-symmetrical surfaces. The parametric studies are presented showing the effects of shear, the delamination position, the angle of rotation of the delamination and the ratio of elastic to shear moduli. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.