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A formal engineering approach of the mechanics of thin-walled laminated beams based on kinematic assumptions consistent with Timoshenko beam theory is pre sented. Thin-walled composite beams with open or closed cross section subjected to bend ing and axial load are considered. A variational formulation is employed to obtain a com prehensive description of the structural response. Beam stiffness coefficients, which account for the cross section geometry and for the material anisotropy, are obtained. An explicit expression for the static shear correction factor of thin-walled composite beams is derived from energy equivalence. A numerical example involving a laminated I-beam is used to demonstrate the capability of the model for predicting displacements and ply stresses.