The　finite　element　software　ANSYS　was　used　to　perform　numerical　experiments　for　the　overall　stability　of　I-section　austenitic　and　duplex　stainless　steel　members　under　axial　compression.　The　nonlinear　constitutive　material　model,　the　initial　geometric　imperfection　and　residual　stress　distribution　were　accounted　for　in　the　established　finite　element　model,　and　with　which　the　buckling　behaviors　with　respect　to　both　the　major　axis　and　the　minor　axis　were　analyzed　respectively.　Comparison　was　made　among　the　ultimate　bearing　capacity　by　the　finite　element　model,　that　obtained　experimentally　and　that　according　to　specifications,　which　indicates　that　the　finite　element　model　can　accurately　simulate　mechanical　performance　of　stainless　steel　member　under　axial　compression;　the　impact　of　residual　stress　on　ultimate　bearing　capacity　is　remarkable　in　the　case　of　bucking　with　respect　to　minor　axis　being　evident;　and　GB50017-2003　is　not　applicable　to　the　overall　stability　calculation　of　the　stainless　members.　©　2016,　Engineering　Mechanics　Press.　All　right　reserved.