A rigid steel plate is supported by three posts of high-strength concrete each having an effective cross-sectional area A = 40,000 mm2 and length L = 2 m (see figure). Before the load P is applied, the middle post is shorter than the others by an amount s = 1.0 mm.
Determine the maximum allowable load Pallow if the allowable compressive stress in the concrete is Pallow = 20 MPa. (Use E = 30 GPa for concrete.)

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P S.