Posted by Malachy Larkin B.Arch. Architect. on September 21, 2001 at 04:49:45:I seem to have aroused a defensive attitude amongst some structural engineers. I feel a responsibilty therfor to explain my position more fully.
The rapid collapse of the entire vertical structure of the WTC twin towers was shocking and unexpected. Unexpected is the key word.
The level of damage caused by the aeroplanes was colossal indeed.
Were the initial structural concepts of these buildings unsuitable?Why were the verical loadings in these building not more widely distributed?
The weakening or failure of crucial elements is predictable
in any structural system.Where the WTC disappoints is that the management of such potential weakening/failure appears not to have been
properly thought through in the detailed structural design.The WTC departed from traditional tall building structural design using a concept designed to minimise internal loadbearing elements and enable rapid construction.
What is wrong with columns anyway?Some architects and engineers unfortunately regard the column as an enemy not a friend.
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