Question: A short post, 150 mm by 150 mm, of Douglas fir, is reinforced by the addition of two ASTM A36 steel plates. The cross section is shown. Assume that the components are of equal lengths and are so connected that they act as a single unit and deform equally. Use the nominal dimensions of the wood, as shown, and compute the allowable compressive load. Allowable compressive stress for the steel is 147 MPa.