Two techniques are available for performing buckling analyses - nonlinear buckling analysis and eigenvalue (or linear) buckling analysis. These two methods frequently yield quite different results.

Nonlinear buckling analysis is usually the more accurate approach and is therefore the technique normally employed by JLR. It is recommended for design or evaluation of actual structures. This technique employs a nonlinear static analysis with gradually increasing loads to seek the load level at which a structure becomes unstable.

Using the nonlinear technique, models can include features such as initial imperfections, plastic behavior, gaps, and large-deflection response. In addition, using deflection-controlled loading, we can even track the post-buckled performance of structures (which can be useful in cases where the structure buckles into a stable configuration, such as "snap-through" buckling of a shallow dome).

The second method, eigenvalue buckling analysis, predicts the theoretical buckling strength (the bifurcation point) of an ideal linear elastic structure. This method corresponds to the textbook approach to elastic buckling analysis: for instance, an eigenvalue buckling analysis of a column will match the classical Euler solution. However, imperfections and nonlinearities prevent most real-world structures from achieving their theoretical elastic buckling strength. Thus, eigenvalue buckling analysis often yields unconservative results, and is not generally used by JLR in actual day-to-day engineering analyses.