World Trade Center Building Performance Study
From Debunk911myths
World Trade Center Building Performance Study
Shortly after the 9/11 attacks when the search and rescue efforts ended, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) jointly conducted an study, looking into the collapse of the World Trade Center and structural and fire protection of the buildings. In May 2002, FEMA issued their report on the collapse.
Participants
Dr. W. Gene Corley, P.E., who was a key participant in the Building Performance Study, has been recognized for his work on the investigation, as well as investigation work at the Pentagon and at the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in 1995.[1] This preliminary investigation was initially organized by the Structural Engineers Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers, with the American Institute of Steel Construction, the American Concrete Institute, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers also involved.[2] ASCE also invited FEMA to join the investigation, which later became a joint ASCE-FEMA effort.[2]
The investigation involved cooperation from the State of New York, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY). The Building Performance Study team also worked with the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE), the International Code Council (ICC), the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and the Masonry Society (TMS). The investigative team released its report on the collapse of the World Trade Center in May 2002.
Scope
The Building Performance Study (BPS) team inspected and photographed the site and surrounding buildings, visited salvage yards where steel was taken, consulted with structural engineers and design professionals involved in the building the World Trade Center, and reviewed building blueprints. The BPS also collected data and information, including photographs, video, first responders' radio communications, and interviewed witnesses. FEMA developed a timeline of building loading events, conducted an initial engineering assessment of building performance, determine probable failure mechanisms, and identify areas for future investigations.
References
- ↑ Engineer who led investigation into collapse of World Trade Center among 6 honored by AAES. IEEE (May 11, 2007).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Experts Debate Future of the Skyscraper in Wake of Disaster", Engineering News-Record, September 24, 2001.
Other references