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Set $\ell =\sqrt{EI/F}$. The Euler elastica equation becomes ${\theta }^{\prime \prime }={\ell }^{-2}\sin \theta$. Multiplying by ${\theta }^{\prime }$ gives the first integralStraight asymptotic ends require ${\theta }^{\prime }\to 0$ and a horizontal tangent, so $C=F$. This is the separatrix of a simple pendulum with its angle shifted by $\pi$. A nonconstant solution moves from $\theta =0$ to $2\pi$, with the same physical tangent at both ends, taking infinite arc length to approach either limit. One explicit representative isUsing $\cos \theta =1-2{\mathrm{sech}}^2(s/\ell )$ and $\sin \theta =-2\mathrm{sech}(s/\ell )\tanh (s/\ell )$ and integrating $r^{\prime }=(\cos \theta ,\sin \theta )$ gives the tensile elastica loopThis solution is nontrivial, tends to horizontal straight tails, and has finite excess bending energy. It is also necessarily self-intersecting. Indeed $y$ is even and $x$ is odd. For $z>0$, let $f(z)=z-2\tanh z$. Near zero $f(z)<0$, while $f(2)>0$, so there is a root $z_{\ast }\in (0,2)$. At the two distinct parameters $s=\pm \ell z_{\ast }$, both points have $x=0$ and the same $y>0$. Numerically $z_{\ast }\simeq 1.91501$.

Any nonconstant smooth solution with the same straight asymptotic conditions has this first integral. Between consecutive horizontal orientations, separating variables gives the displayed solution up to translation, reflection, and reversal. It cannot pass through a straight equilibrium at a finite parameter, by uniqueness of the ordinary differential equation. Thus all such nontrivial branches have the same loop crossing. This is an ideal zero-thickness rod solution; a physical rod with self-contact excluded cannot realize the crossing without adding contact forces.

At distance $y$ from the neutral axis, bending strain has magnitude $y/R$ and the corresponding stress is $Ey/R$. Its moment is thereforeThe second moment of area is about the neutral bending axis and has units of length to the fourth power. This assumes a slender linear-elastic beam, small strains and plane sections remaining plane, not necessarily small deflections.

For horizontal compression $F>0$, moment balance across a short arc gives $dB/ds=-Fdy/ds=-F\sin \theta$. Since $B=EI{\theta }^{\prime }$, the exact-angle Euler elastica equation and its first integral areThe first integral follows by multiplying by ${\theta }^{\prime }$ and integrating; no small-angle replacement has been made.

For tension set $F=-T$. The straight far-field ends give $C=T$, so on the increasing-angle tensile elastica loop branchChoosing $s=0$ at $\theta =\pi$ givesThe terminal angles are $0$ and $2\pi$, the same physical tangent direction. At the top, ${\theta }^{\prime }(0)=2\alpha$ and the bending moment is $2EI\alpha$. The horizontal tensile force has lever arm $h$, soIntegrating $(x^{\prime },y^{\prime })=(\cos \theta ,\sin \theta )$ independently gives $x=s-2\tanh (\alpha s)/\alpha$, $y=2\mathrm{sech}(\alpha s)/\alpha$, confirming the height. This ideal loop neglects self-contact and thickness at its crossing.