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.