Originally posted by aelphaeis_mangarae
but the weakening of beams from intense heat
There were no intense fires, check the witness reports, look at the holes in the towers.
911physics.co.nr...
Has a decent analysis of the WTC collapse.
Are any of you aware that the WTC North Tower fell faster than the rate of freefall in a total vaccuum ?
Here are a few comments of the junk science being portrayed on this forum: (which are mostly exaggerated comments or over-simplified analysis)
Very first and easiest correction:
It is physically impossible for something to fall(accelerate) faster than the rate of free fall in a vaccuum (9.81 m/s^2). That is unless the
government invented a gravity device to up the force of gravity in that one specific area at that specific point in time, or if it was being yanked to
the ground by some other force. (This point alone discredits what you are saying, and the source you obtained it from) This is basic knowledge gained
in grade 11 physics.
Second, the temperate does not have to get anywhere near the melting point of steel before it begins to soften. (read any introduction to engineering
materials science text) All it takes is a high enough temperature at a reasonable length of time (800*C for an hour would be near that requirement
although that is just a ballpark figure, so dont quote me on it). I am just trying to say steel is not invincible and can be significantly weakend
without melting.
Third - The structure of the world trade center was significantly different than most other steel buildings, so comparing this building to others that
have had fires + stuctural weakening due to impacts, is like comparing apples to oranges
Fourth - The comparison of wind loads to plane impacts is not a valid comparison. Impacts have a completely different nature, of which I will not go
into any detail here. Read any Engineering mechanics text if you want to indulge your curiosity.
Fifth - I do believe the the WTC is much more than the media portrays, but throwing out elaborate junk science facts is only making your opionion look
flawed and wrong