On the basis of the energy me thod in connection with the static stability criterion a specific finite element formulation is developed with which bifurcation loads of curved beams of glued-laminated timber can be determined easily. Because of the small numeric effort this procedure is excellently suitable for parameter studies. Extensive single investigations on the basis of two or three-dimensional finite element models become normally superfluous. In the last part of the paper the results of a study are presented at circular curved beams of glued-laminated timber. On condition of a continuous lateral support at the upper chord bifurcation loads are determined and presented graphically. © Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG.