Question

82) You are investigating a terrorist attack on a skyscraper using a jetliner that led to the catastrophic collapse of the building. The plane did not sufficiently damage the steel structure with impact to cause collapse. Jet fuel from the crash did burn all through the central elevator shafts. One hypothesis being fielded is that heat from the fire from the jet fuel caused the collapse of the steel structure making up the building. Jet fuel burns at no more than 980 °C where as steel melts at over 1500 °C. Using what you know about the thermal and mechanical properties of steel, propose a hypothesis to explain the failure, that does not involve a second group of terrorists and explosives?

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Please answer in clear words NO guessing!!! Thanks

Answer 1

Tools ▼ Screen 1-2 of 2 E View Options Close There have been numerous reports detailing the cause of the World Trade Center Tower collapse on September 11, 2001. Most have provided qualitative explanations; however, simple quantitative analyses show that some common conclusions are incorrect; for example, the steel could not melt in these flames and there was more structural damage than merely softening of the steel at elevated temperatures. Some guidelines for improvements in future structures are presented The collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on September 11, 2001, was as sudden as it was dramatic; the complete destruction of such massive buildings shocked nearly everyone. Immediately afterward and even today, there is widespread speculation that the buildings were structurally deficient, that the steel columns melted, or that the fire suppression equipment failed to operate. In order to separate the fact from the fiction, we have attempted to quantify various details of the collapse The major events include the following The airplane impact with damage to the columns The ensuing fire with loss of steel strength and distortion The collapse, which generally occurred inward without significant tipping . . ENG 02:17 US 12-12-2015