Review of Did we learn anything from the collapse of WTC towers?...

[joshfee77]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Did we learn anything from the collapse of WTC towers?..." by Gregory Szuladziński.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Did we learn anything from WTC towers collapse?...: Critical Review of final NIST reports and more is an engineering analysis of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York City on September 11, 2001. The author, Gregory Szuladziński, has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD in structural mechanics. He has been an engineer in the USA and Australia for over 50 years. He has worked on Boeing 747s, nuclear power plants, military equipment, and more. He has simulated seismic events and car collisions. In this book, he seeks to explain the structural failures that caused WTC1 (the North Tower) to collapse 102 minutes after being hit by the first hijacked aeroplane. The report from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) only identified the timing of the first failure, not its cause. From an engineering perspective, it is important to determine the sequence of failures to identify the design elements that might prevent such failures in future buildings. The author uses background information to better grasp what is missing from – or explained poorly in – the NIST report. He also analyses the expected results of a similar attack on the new One World Trade Center building.

The contents page shows the author's methodical progression through the investigation. The main text is pragmatic and analytical. Chapter 1 explains the relevant events: two aeroplanes colliding with the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Gaps in the NIST investigation and report are immediately addressed. This lays the foundation for the author's investigation into precisely how the North Tower collapsed. The book feels accurate and authoritative from the start. The short chapters discuss the relevant points concisely.

Szuladziński writes in layman's terms to assist those with little engineering knowledge. Having not studied engineering, I learned many new concepts. The author includes computer diagrams from his simulations of the building collapse. He also clearly explains the limitations of the NIST report. The most complicated technical information and engineering calculations are presented in the appendices at the end of the book.

The author's detailed calculations illustrate the inaccuracies of the NIST findings about the impact of the aeroplane's wings on the North Tower's support columns. While the calculations are complicated, the accompanying explanations help the reader understand their implications. Szuladziński's analysis of how the wings sliced through steel support columns is fascinating and convincing.

Though it is mainly an engineering analysis, the book does touch on the human element as it relates to the investigation. For example, the building's owner wanted his insurance payout quickly. This accelerated the clean-up of the site after 9/11. Many of the recovered materials were scrapped before they could be analysed. The flow-on effects of the attacks are also mentioned, such as the civilian and US military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The only shortcomings in Szuladziński's work are a few minor typographical errors. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. With over 40 listed references, it is a well-researched piece of work. I found it thorough and thought-provoking. While it would primarily appeal to engineers or engineering students, it would still interest anyone fascinated by the events of 9/11. It does contain complex concepts, however, so a strong background in mathematics is preferable.

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Did we learn anything from the collapse of WTC towers?...
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[Vivian Writes]

Wow, the author is quite achieved. As far as I can see, he has the professional authority to write on the topic of this book: the technical failures of WTC that caused it to collapse on impact. Architectural buffs are the best audience for this book.

[Shadreck Rogers]

Being a fan of conspiracy theories, this book is a must-read. So much mystery shrouds 9/11