Abstract: Aiming at studying the axial compressive failure mode and energy-absorbing characteristics of typical bolted carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) thin-walled C-channels, the quasi-static axial compression tests of five groups of C-channels with different layups, i.e. 0/90_4s, ±45_4s, ±45/90₂/0_4s, ±45/90/0₂/90/0_2s and 90/±45/0_2s, were conducted. The failure morphology and load-displacement curves were obtained. Considering the Lavadèze single-layer shell element model, Puck-Yamada failure criterion, interlayer cohesive element and bolt connection model, the stacked shell models of C-channels were established to perform the axial compression simulation, and the failure morphology, force-displacement curve and energy-absorbing metrics were compared with the test and analyzed. The results show that the 0°, ±45° and 90° fibers can significantly affect the axial compression failure mode and energy-absorbing characteristics of C-channels. Under the axial compression loading, the local buckling failure mode occurs for the C-channels with ± 45 ° fiber, resulting in poor energy-absorbing characteristics. For the C-channels with outside ± 45° fiber, and the inside 0° and 90° fiber, the axial compression failure process is stable, resulting in good energy-absorbing characteristics. The overall deformation and local failure morphology obtained by stacked shell models are in good agreement with the test results, the force-displacement curves and the energy-absorbing metrics are basically consistent with the test results. The research results can provide guidance for energy-absorbing design of CFRP thin-walled C-channels.