Originally posted by roxdog
Agreed. So a steel structure just collapses symmetrically after it catches fire?Hum, I'm no scientist but that sounds pretty weak. On par with
"pull it" means get the firefighters out so we can watch it...oh, I mean, It MIGHT fall, you know, uhhhh, because, uhhh, come on, stop asking
questions.
You guys should be on the commission.
You know, that attitude doesn't help one bit. Why don't we assume that some of us know a little bit more about some things than others of us. Then
let's go ahead and assume that you are one of the some of us that know less about this issue. I'll state right now, based on some of your comments,
that I am one of us who knows more about this issue.
So a steel structure just collapses symmetrically after it catches fire?
Yeah, exactly. The first structural member to fall will cause an increase in the load of the subsequent load-bearing members which are under the same
strength-decreasing heat...they fall and then you have a floor fall. The first floor to give way doesn't necessarily (in fact, it won't) fall
symmetrically, but the minute it gives way and impacts the floor below it, you have a symmectrical domino effect.
I'm sorry physics won't let you hang on to this, but that's just the way the building crumbles.
[edit on 7-16-2004 by Valhall]