Karachi Architects Mull Lessons From 9/11

Karachi architects mull lessons from 9/11

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-6-2008_pg12_2

ali raza mehdi
6/22/2008

KARACHI: Structural faults were not behind the collapse of the twin towers in New York after two planes rammed through them on 9/11, revealed a documentary shown at a seminar on ‘Architectural and engineering lessons from WTC twin towers collapse’ organized by the Institute of Engineers Pakistan in collaboration with the Memon Professional Forum and the Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan Saturday. A foreign research group known as Nova had prepared the documentary ‘Building at Ground-Zero’ (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/wtc/sunder.html). The documentary showed that the structural features whose absence had helped easily floor a complex in Oklahoma during a terrorist attack in April 1995 were incorporated into the construction of the WTC, besides all the other scientific advancements, which therefore rendered the towers totally sound from an architectural point of view. The principal reasons for their collapse, determined after two separate and detailed investigations, were stated to be the impact when the jets had slammed, and the ensuing fire that engulfed the towers. The documentary also referred to various recommendations mentioned in the report prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, US. These recommendations have already been incorporated into the construction of other skyscrapers around the world, including the World Financial Tower in Shanghai, which is tipped to become the tallest building of the world when completed.