Behind Purdue's computing simulation on the 2001 World Trade Center attack

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NIST also did a simulation without the graphics

The NIST did a simulation of the damage and compared against debris. They took into account a huge amount of information. Turns out that the physical damage just from the impact was enough to cut the structural strength in half. Floors were modeled to collapse at much lower temperatures than what was experienced in side the building. Floor collapse was substantial part of causing the building collapse not the failure of the main support columns. Of course without the lateral support of the floor supports the main columns would eventually buckle. Also it was predicted that temperatures were not so much fuel related as due to secondary files (office furniture and other flammables) The fuel was modeled to burn off in a matter of minutes.

These are some of the things I remember from reading the report (300 + pages). That was almost a year ago. So there is a lot forgotten.

It is likely that the insulation was stripped from the main support columns and that the heat would have further weakened them (already bearing 2x Normal load due to collision damage). But if I remember correctly it was the weight of the floors beginning to sheer away from the columns and pancaking the lower floors (weakened as well) until the momentum of the total mass overcame non-weakened flooring and essentially pulling down the building with it. Note the floors besides all the steel were covered in concrete so there was a huge amount of mass there.

Also the engines were also mentioned as having sufficient mass to sheer support columns not just the outer structural columns. The number of support columns sheered in the simulation was significant.

Posted by: DevGuy_z   Posted on: 06/20/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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