A steel bar has a square cross section of width b = 2.0 in. (see figure). The bar has pinned supports at the ends and is 3.0 ft long. The axial forces acting at the end of the bar have a resultant P = 20 k located at distance e = 0.75 in. from the center of the cross section. Also, the modulus of elasticity of the steel is 29,000 ksi.
(a) Determine the maximum compressive stress (max in the bar.
(b) If the allowable stress in the steel is 18,000 psi, what is the maximum permissible length Lmax of the bar?

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