The hoisting arrangement for lifting a large pipe is shown in the figure. The spreader is a steel tubular section with outer diameter 70 mm and inner diameter 57 mm. Its length is 2.6 m and its modulus of elasticity is 200 GPa.
Based upon a factor of safety of 2.25 with respect to Euler buckling of the spreader, what is the maximum weight of pipe that can be lifted? (Assume pinned conditions at the ends of the spreader.)