Physics

Problem

A construction crew must place a temporary square steel pad under a vertical column that exerts a load of

2.5\times10^{5}\,\text{N}

. Building codes require the pad to be designed for a load factor of

1.7

(i.e., the pad must safely support

1.7

times the actual load). The underlying soil can sustain a maximum pressure of

3.0\times10^{4}\,\text{Pa}

. What is the minimum length of each side of the square pad that satisfies the code? a)

2.9\,\text{m}

6.9\,\text{m}

3.8\,\text{m}

2.2\,\text{m}