Which mechanical instability lead to failures in torsion-powered Roman ballista siege engines?

💡 Explanation

When torsion-powered ballistae were employed for sustained periods, organic fiber springs experienced material creep because polymeric chains gradually rearranged under constant load relaxing the torsion, thus reducing projectile velocity and range. Therefore spring creep results rather than loss from aim, wear from firing, or combustion as alternative causes of engine decline.

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