1) The document discusses the stability and buckling behavior of columns under axial loading. It introduces Euler's formula for determining the critical buckling load of pin-ended beams and describes how this analysis can be extended to columns. 2) Sample problems demonstrate how to design columns for centric and eccentric axial loads using these analytical methods and by considering stress limits. Design approaches vary based on the column's slenderness ratio. 3) The effects of eccentric loading are evaluated using a secant formula approach, where the eccentric load is modeled as a centric load plus a bending moment. Stress limits and interaction equations are provided.