Joedirt: I will not give you my AIA number, especially not over a internet forum. However I highly suggest that you find a structural engineer who's had experience with large buildings. Your referencing a New York building code. Regrettably there isn't a public website for UBC but most local libraries should have code books. Otherwise any architect firm or structural consultant should have a set of code books.

And the WTC towers were designed to collapse straight down in the event of a disaster.

P.S. my name is Gorgon not Gordon.

After the Empire State Building was erected building commissions got worried about the impact of a building falling and damaging other buildings. IT IS UNIVERSAL BUILDING CODE that ANY structure over 3 stories in height to fall on itself to minimize damages and casualties to surrounding areas.


Gordon you are full of shit! Here is post 2004 NYC building code. I cannot find a copy of the pre-2000 building code. I also am not sure there is even a "Universal Building Code" that would have secret non-NYC building code statues applying to "falling into footprint".
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/code_internet.shtml

If you want to private message me your BSArch or Architect license number I would be glad to do the vetting, but otherwise I still maintain you are full of shit.

I've made this comment several times, and I'll keep making it. After the Empire State Building was erected building commissions got worried about the impact of a building falling and damaging other buildings. IT IS UNIVERSAL BUILDING CODE that ANY structure over 3 stories in height to fall on itself to minimize damages and casualties to surrounding areas.

On top of that to you can look at the way the World Trade Center was constructed. They have a more ridged and reinforced outer support structure that acts like a shell. The inner structure is a bit more flexible and was designed with the intent of having the outer shell contain any collapse of the building. Why? Because they were going to be the largest buildings in New York City.

I'm an Architect, I've designed close to a hundred buildings now and I can tell you that structural engineers look at this kind of stuff and have noted it on plans they have reviewed. So the "towers falling straight down like in a controlled demolition." It's bullshit, it would have happened with or without government ninja-placed secret hidden explosives all over the building.

The reason these conspiracy theories don't make sense is because they hold no COMMON SENSE! They don't take into account that architects think about designing for disasters. Much less how the government could shut up so many people. Lets face it they couldn't keep Watergate, Lewinsky, or other scandals from surfacing. They couldn't keep this a secret if they wanted too. So all you nut-jobs that keep thinking the government is behind 9/11, try applying research and common sense in your reasoning and you'll find that it actually makes more sense then anything any wacko can spout out on his blog.

Coincidentally, the 14th century was the last time they updated their building codes.

I DARE you to find a single citation in any Universal Building Code that describes such a requirement for implosion. I don't know where you're doing YOU'RE research but I don't consider things like "loose change" to be any more reputable than the raving madman that panhandles down the street.

gluomim: Do your research. It's a safety precaution, all buildings over 4 stories tall are to be designed that in the case of earthquakes, explosions, etc. They will fall in on themselves So as to minimize casualties and damage to surrounding structures. As per Universal Building Code.

not sure if it would pass all the building codes, but ... ingenious just the same!