Maximizing Distance from Wall with Torque Beam Problem

[gnsdraw]

Torque beam problem?

|\
| \
| \ rope
| \
| \
|wall \
| \
|...beam...37*
x |w

a beam is being held up by the rope due to the friction of the wall. the beam has a weight W, and a man is standing x distance away from the wall. the coefficient of friction with the wall is 1/2, the angle is 37*. what is the maximum distance towards the wall that the man can stand without falling.

i don't know how to start, the only thing i can think of is to use the torque at the angle =[


pic got messed up, rope on angle, wall on left

 

[tiny-tim]

|\
| \
| \ rope
| \
| \
|wall \
| \
|...beam...37*
x |w

a beam is being held up by the rope due to the friction of the wall. the beam has a weight W, and a man is standing x distance away from the wall. the coefficient of friction with the wall is 1/2, the angle is 37*. what is the maximum distance towards the wall that the man can stand without falling.

i don't know how to start, the only thing i can think of is to use the torque at the angle =[


pic got messed up, rope on angle, wall on left

Hi gnsdraw!

(hmm … use CODE tags … )

|\
| \ 
|  \ rope
|   \
|    \ 
|wall \
|      \
|...beam...37*
x |w

Hint: call the normal force N the friction force F and the tension force T.

When the beam is about to slip, F/N will be exactly 1/2, won't it?

So take horizontal and vertical components of all the forces acting on the beam.

 

[gnsdraw]

so along with fric force and tension, there are also going to be two weights? could anyone show me how to set the torques up