11 Sep
2001
11 Sep
'01
12:04 p.m.
At 12:11 am 12/09/2001, you wrote:
I agree that the leveling of the first building was
odd. I'm not an
engineer, but the destruction from the crash *appeared* to be isolated
to the upper floors. Likewise, heat is going to travel upwards and
spread the fire to the upper floors faster - which is what appears to
have happened. There floors in between the area of destruction and the
bottom floors appeared to be sound - then the building spontaneously
collapsed. Very strange.
According to the BBC, the construction of these buildings meant that most
of the strength was in the outer skin.
I can only surmise that the heat softened what remained of the internal
structural stength following the crashes (and it is amazing the buildings
survived that much), and the weight of the falling top caused a chain reaction.
Regardless of the mechanics, this is a dreadful thing. I extend my
heartfelt sympathies to anyone directly or indirectly affected on the list,
and indeed beyond.
--
Cheers, Ade.
Be where it's at, B-Racing!
http://b-racing.co.uk