A bar of rectangular cross section is loaded and supported as shown in the figure.

The distance between supports is $L=1\mathrm{.}75m,$ and the height of the bar is $h=171mm.$ The deflection at the midpoint is measured as

$2\mathrm{.}3mm.$

$($a$)$ What is the maximum normal strain $$ at the top and bottom of the bar?

Your response differs from the correct answer by more than $10\%.$ Double check your calculations.

$($b$)$ If allowable strain ${}_a=0\mathrm{.}0008$ and the deflection cannot exceed $4\mathrm{.}3mm,$ what is the maximum permissible length $($in m$)$ of the

bar?

m