Chapter III

Abstract

Thus far we have dealt with forces applied to inflexible bodies, and we have assigned the resultant directions of these ; truly in this chapter we will append forces to moveable or flexible bodies, which circumstance requires two kinds of flexibility to be investigated. In the first place, which flexible shape the body must acquire from the applied forces, or rather, which shape must it retain, when the forces themselves have been composed in equilibrium. Secondly with regard to the resultant direction of the forces of this kind acting together in equilibrium, and the force impressed in this resultant direction.