Finding the maximum load capacity of a shelf

[Qenno]

I have been asked to provide an estimate of the maximum load capacity of a shelf that would be 4.5ft by 1ft

The information I know is as follows:

Bending Stiffness=1750 Nm
Area of shelf= 4.5ft by 1ft= 4.5 ft^2=0.41806368m^2
Thickness of shelf= 18mm

I need either the equations I could use to find this or if I'm missing information it would be great if you could tell me what I'm missing.

Thanks!

 

[berkeman]

I have been asked to provide an estimate of the maximum load capacity of a shelf that would be 4.5ft by 1ft

The information I know is as follows:

Bending Stiffness=1750 Nm
Area of shelf= 4.5ft by 1ft= 4.5 ft^2=0.41806368m^2
Thickness of shelf= 18mm

I need either the equations I could use to find this or if I'm missing information it would be great if you could tell me what I'm missing.

Thanks!

Welcome to the PF.

What is the context of the question? Is it for schoolwork? If not for schoolwork, what is the shelf going to be used for? Why is someone asking you to do this calculation if you don't have the ME background for it yet?