Abstract: This paper studies stability of elastically restrained rods under uniformly distributed and concentrated compressive follower forces by the aid of Boundary Eiement Method. For the critical loads and the transition between two stability patterns （flutter and divergence）, a general variation rule due to boundary conditions or load distribution modes is given. Some conclusions which are useful for engineering design are obtained. Calculated results demonstrate validity of BEM for solving nonconserva-tive stability problems.