Compression and axial flow through a chromatographic column packed with a non-rigid gel have been characterized experimentally and theoretically A two-dimensional model based on the assumption of elastic deformation of the solid phase and steady-state Darcy flow was modified to include the mechanical forces exerted by the end pieces of the column. Flow-pressure curves were successfully predicted by the model. Pressure drop and radial distribution of the linear velocity at different flow rates, wall friction coefficients and column radii were investigated by computer simulations. It was shown that significant radial variations in the linear velocity may arise near both the outlet and the inlet of the column.