What Factors Determine the Maximum Allowable Force on a Wooden Beam?

[w31ha-]

Homework Statement

Finding the maximum allowable force P before failure

Homework Equations

Shear /normal stress = Force / Area

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that I can resolve the force P to be along and normal to the end of the wooden beam to find the respective forces separately,applying factor of safety, from the failure stresses given and therefore, determine which P is lower which shall be the maximum allowable P. However, I do not see there the distance b come into play. Am i missing something?

 

[paisiello2]

Can you show how you "resolved" P?

 

[w31ha-]

Pcos30 will be my shear force and Psin30 will be my normal force to the end of the beam.

 

[paisiello2]

Don't you mean P/2cos30 and P/2sin30?