What is the 'Critical Load of a Column' also known as?

The 'Critical Load of a Column' is defined as the load at which a long column fails due to buckling. This phenomenon primarily affects slender columns where the failure mode is not due to material crushing but rather due to a loss of stability. The critical load is determined by several factors, including the column's length, cross-sectional dimensions, and the material properties.

In the context of structural engineering, understanding the critical load is essential when conducting structural analyses and designing supported elements to ensure safety and stability under axial loading. When the load exceeds this critical value, the column deforms laterally, leading to potential collapse.

This understanding is distinct from concepts like the maximum load a column can support, which refers to axial capacity rather than stability, or serviceability loads, which deal more with deflection limits or usability of structures. The initial load applied on the structure also does not define stability but rather the starting condition of the structural analysis. Therefore, option B accurately reflects the definition and importance of critical load in column design and analysis.