Assumptions made in Euler's Theory
- The column is initially perfectly straight and is axially loaded.
- The section of the column is uniform.
- The column material is perfectly elastic, homogeneous and isotropic and obeys Hooke's Law.
- The length of the column is very large compared to the lateral dimensions.
- The direct stress is very small compared with the bending stress corresponding to the buckling condition.
- The self-weight of the column is neglected.
- The column will fail by buckling only.