Forces on an unusual supporting structure

[nina]

Homework Statement

The frame must support a weight of 10kg, approximately 0.5m above the floor. The weight is suspended from the top of a vertical elipse shape, of which 1 side is missing. The bottom of the half elipse rests on a base.

It looks like a slightly straighter "C" with the weight hanging on the right hand side. The C is approximately 255mm across and 680mm tall.

I need to know where the major stress points are, how strong the frame material must be to avoid bending/breaking, and what shape the C needs to be, or the size of the base, to avoid the unit tipping over to the right.

Homework Equations

It's been a while since I've done physics A level, my notes are somewhere in a box halfway across the country, and I have no idea what formulae I'm looking for sadly.

The Attempt at a Solution

I have drawn out a squared version of the design, and tried modelling it in Solidworks to find the answer.

The most I have found is that the major stresses will be at the upper left hand side of the C, and at the bottom of the C where it meets the stand base.

The materials can be anything I want, I'm just after the load they must take in each direction!

 

[nina]

This is NOT my homework, I am not being marked on it... but it is a matter of balance. Please someone answer, I'm in desperate need!