From Galileo to Navier and Clapeyron

Galileo (1564-1642), in his well-known Discorsi (Galileo, 1638), briefly turning attention to the fracture of a beam, starts an interesting discussion on beam’s breakage as well its location. Could section and breaking point beam have been determined beforehand? Furthermore, is it specific material? What did was not merely challenge physics problem, but prevailing knowledge time: namely, Aristotelianism one hand, Nominalism other. As matter fact, must element be treated universal or particular given material?
 The present essay aims prove how Galileo, confronting structural problem bringing into realm science, just raising but, using Salviati’s words, he also established what actually takes place. Many years later, with progress physics, strength materials theory structures, figures such Claude Navier (1785-1836) Benoît Clapeyron (1799-1864) confirmed once again that Pisan turned out right.
 This article intends combine technical fields structures others like history science philosophy proper. A cooperative approach these disciplines can doubtlessly helpful improve knowledge, learning teaching their different curricula, giving reader global, holistic perspective.