A tubular structural element comprises a tubular body made of a fiber reinforced composite material having reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix. The fibers are one of carbon, berylium, boron, glass, metallic or non-metallic, or a hybridized combination of the same. The tubular body has projections interiorly thereof which are integral therewith, and are of the same or another fiber reinforced composite material. The reinforcing fibers in the body are oriented in mutual stress transmitting relation, preferably circumferentially in the tubular body, and longitudinally in the interior projections. In making the tubular structural element, the fiber reinforced composite is introduced into each channel formed in a mandrel. The channels extend generally longitudinally of the mandrel, and optionally may also be spirally or helically oriented. Additional composite material is then overlaid generally circumferentially on the mandrel, to a desired thickness. The material is cured, and then removed from the mandrel for any final processing desired.