Abstract: The investigation of local buckling for centrally loaded column primarily involves the formulation of the governing differential equations of the buckled slab component based on the theory of thin plates, establishment of the displacement field satisfying the boundary conditions, and analytical solution of the critical buckling load. The determination of critical load is not only complicated by the cumbersome mathematical manipulations, but also not convenient for highlighting the local buckling characteristics and controlling factors of an axially compressed column. In this work, a continuously supported strut model has been presented to transform the local buckling of two-dimensional slab into the flexural buckling of one-dimensional compressed bar of unit width that was well understood by engineering students. Based on the buckling load analytically derived from the proposed model, the number of half waves in the direction of compression can be conveniently identified for thin plates with typical restraints along unloaded boundaries. The present work aims to deepen the understanding of the local buckling behavior of centrally loaded columns.