To determine the catenary curves of arches, he would tack a sketch of a foundation plan on the ceiling, hang loops of string, and attach weights along the loops in proportion to down forces.

为了确定拱顶的链状曲线，他会用大头针将基座草稿钉到天花板上，吊上几圈绳子，在绳子上加重，与向下的力相符。

youdao

Here is this rod — it doesn't have to be horizontal - as this one — and I hang on this side of the rod, I hang with a string a very massive object.

这是柱子-，不用和这个，处于同一水平线上-，我握住柱子的这端，在绳上挂很重的物体。

youdao

We put in here a tension meter, we put in here a tension meter and the bottom one, we hang on a string with a tension meter and then here we put four kilograms.

这儿放个张力计，这里也要一个，底下也有，一个张力计，挂着4kg物体。

youdao

The film uses that man-ages-backward notion as a framework on which to hang a completely random string of dramatic incidents, everything from a World War II naval engagement to the finding of a foundling on the back stairs.

NPR: In 'Benjamin Button,' A Curiously Chilly Passion