I am afraid these simple tricks wont work. The Euler buckling formula is valid for straight beams only.

As you mention that the beam twists by 90-degrees as you move from end-1 to end-2, the equilibrium equations of differential sections change continuously, and the differential equation whose solution yields the Eigenvalue as the buckling load would be different as compared to straight beam case.

Simply use a FE model (of NASTRAN, for E.g.) with simple bar elements with large no. of elements to account for continuously varying twisting geometry. You need to feed the correct section properties WRT to the local section axes which are continuously changing due to twist. Buckling problems converge very slowly. You need to run a number of mesh refinements until two successive refinements give results within 1-2 per cent.

These types of problems are common in gas turbine blades, and extensively solved long back. Pl. refer earlier works of Carnegie and his group.

Also please consult: The Theory of Elastic Stability, Timosheno and Gere the bible for elastic stability for all time to come.

Dr. S. Sridhara Murthy