Difference between revisions of "WTC destruction comparison matrix"

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* '''Deformations''': notable deformations in the building's structure are visible before the onset of collapse
 
* '''Deformations''': notable deformations in the building's structure are visible before the onset of collapse
 
* '''Ejection''': solid materials are ejected forcefully from the building during collapse, typically in a horizontal direction, landing some distance away from the main body of the post-collapse structure
 
* '''Ejection''': solid materials are ejected forcefully from the building during collapse, typically in a horizontal direction, landing some distance away from the main body of the post-collapse structure
 +
* '''Flashes''': faint flashes of light are seen shortly before and during collapse
 +
* '''Free-fall''': building collapses quickly; technically not "free-fall" speed, but within an order of magnitude
 
* '''Pulverization''': large volumes of dust are produced
 
* '''Pulverization''': large volumes of dust are produced
* '''Recognizability''': after collapse, the building is still recognizably the same structure, albeit severely distorted by the collapse
+
* '''Recognizability''': after collapse, the building is still recognizably the same structure, albeit severely distorted by the collapse. Basic structural frame is still holding together.
 
* '''Squibs''': small puffs of dust or smoke seen shortly before onset of collapse or during collapse
 
* '''Squibs''': small puffs of dust or smoke seen shortly before onset of collapse or during collapse
 
** actually a slight misnomer; the term "squib" technically refers to the devices which cause these puffs – but within the context of this discussion, we'll use it to refer to the puffs themselves
 
** actually a slight misnomer; the term "squib" technically refers to the devices which cause these puffs – but within the context of this discussion, we'll use it to refer to the puffs themselves
 
* '''Symmetry''': the building collapses nearly symmetrically, rather than from one side first
 
* '''Symmetry''': the building collapses nearly symmetrically, rather than from one side first
 
* '''Toppling''': the building collapses on its side, with significant horizontal displacement and deviation from the vertical
 
* '''Toppling''': the building collapses on its side, with significant horizontal displacement and deviation from the vertical
 +
 +
Also need one or more attributes having to do with the characteristics of fire: evidence of extreme heat, color of smoke, degree to which building is engulfed in flame. Note that fire has never caused collapse of a high-rise.
 +
 +
Molten iron
 +
===Causes===
 +
* '''Controlled demolition''': rapid onset, symmetrical, collapses from bottom, collapses inward into its own footprint, collapses quickly, squibs above point of explosion, clouds of dust and smoke, center first, collapsed building unrecognizable / no integrity, small chunks, molten iron often found (from [[thermite]])
 +
* '''Earthquake''': asymmetrical, toppling, recognizable integrity
 +
* '''Explosion''': thick, dense, billowing, enormous clouds of dust and smoke, flashes of light, explosive sounds
 +
* '''Fire''': (has never caused a high-rise to collapse, so only examples are from smaller buildings)
 
===Queries===
 
===Queries===
 
The most rigorous way to pursue this analysis would be to have a complete list of all known steel-frame building collapses which have been described in any detail (or for which there are images or videos), and come up with a correlation between each cause-of-collapse and each collapse attribute. It would then be possible to calculate, with a reasonably small margin of error, the likelihood of each possible cause-of-collapse being responsible for each of the three collapsed WTC buildings.
 
The most rigorous way to pursue this analysis would be to have a complete list of all known steel-frame building collapses which have been described in any detail (or for which there are images or videos), and come up with a correlation between each cause-of-collapse and each collapse attribute. It would then be possible to calculate, with a reasonably small margin of error, the likelihood of each possible cause-of-collapse being responsible for each of the three collapsed WTC buildings.
  
 
I don't know where to find such data at this time, but one can certainly begin compiling a list of [[steel-frame building collapses]] along with any details known.
 
I don't know where to find such data at this time, but one can certainly begin compiling a list of [[steel-frame building collapses]] along with any details known.

Revision as of 02:02, 30 September 2007

Navigation

9/11: WTC destruction comparison matrix

Overview

This page is for comparison of the following, with regard to the destruction of steel-framed high-rise buildings:

The Matrix

CAUSE → controlled demolition earthquake explosion fire BUILDING → WTC1 WTC2 WTC7
Attribute
Center
first
Comparable
size
Deformations
Ejection
Movement
Pulverization
Recognizability
Squibs
Symmetry
Toppling

Attributes

  • Center first: the middle of the building begins collapsing slightly before the outside edges
  • Comparable size: the rubble of the collapse is of a size/volume comparable to the original structure
  • Deformations: notable deformations in the building's structure are visible before the onset of collapse
  • Ejection: solid materials are ejected forcefully from the building during collapse, typically in a horizontal direction, landing some distance away from the main body of the post-collapse structure
  • Flashes: faint flashes of light are seen shortly before and during collapse
  • Free-fall: building collapses quickly; technically not "free-fall" speed, but within an order of magnitude
  • Pulverization: large volumes of dust are produced
  • Recognizability: after collapse, the building is still recognizably the same structure, albeit severely distorted by the collapse. Basic structural frame is still holding together.
  • Squibs: small puffs of dust or smoke seen shortly before onset of collapse or during collapse
    • actually a slight misnomer; the term "squib" technically refers to the devices which cause these puffs – but within the context of this discussion, we'll use it to refer to the puffs themselves
  • Symmetry: the building collapses nearly symmetrically, rather than from one side first
  • Toppling: the building collapses on its side, with significant horizontal displacement and deviation from the vertical

Also need one or more attributes having to do with the characteristics of fire: evidence of extreme heat, color of smoke, degree to which building is engulfed in flame. Note that fire has never caused collapse of a high-rise.

Molten iron

Causes

  • Controlled demolition: rapid onset, symmetrical, collapses from bottom, collapses inward into its own footprint, collapses quickly, squibs above point of explosion, clouds of dust and smoke, center first, collapsed building unrecognizable / no integrity, small chunks, molten iron often found (from thermite)
  • Earthquake: asymmetrical, toppling, recognizable integrity
  • Explosion: thick, dense, billowing, enormous clouds of dust and smoke, flashes of light, explosive sounds
  • Fire: (has never caused a high-rise to collapse, so only examples are from smaller buildings)

Queries

The most rigorous way to pursue this analysis would be to have a complete list of all known steel-frame building collapses which have been described in any detail (or for which there are images or videos), and come up with a correlation between each cause-of-collapse and each collapse attribute. It would then be possible to calculate, with a reasonably small margin of error, the likelihood of each possible cause-of-collapse being responsible for each of the three collapsed WTC buildings.

I don't know where to find such data at this time, but one can certainly begin compiling a list of steel-frame building collapses along with any details known.