A two-dimensional model was developed that describes the deformation of an open, mechanically stable chromatographic bed during steady-state flow. It is based on the assumption of pure elastic deformation and the validity of Darcy＇s law. A control-volume method was used to solve the mathematical equations. The computed pressure profiles agree well with experimental data. Computer simulations indicate that radial void variations, which will cause significant flow variations, may occur under chromatographic flow conditions. A method of measuring Young＇s modulus and the Poisson ratio in a water-saturated sample at very low stress levels ( < 15 kPa) using a cubic plane strain tester, is also presented.