Professor Jones' claims about the physics of WTC collapse

[Chaos' lil bro Order]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=964034652002408586

Here is a video of Professor Jones of BYUniversity presenting a lecture about the collapse of the WTC buildings. He talks about the stresses on the steel columns imposed by the heat of the fires and how they were not great enough to cause the nearly free-fall collapse. Aside from the political implications of his lecture, which should not be discussed here, I am curious to hear what some of the physics experts here think about the scientific underpinnings of his lecture.

Please be objective and refrain from political comment, thanks.

 

[russ_watters]

C'mon - you know this is a banned topic.

 

[sir-pinski]

As a physics expert, I have reviewed Professor Jones' claims about the physics of the WTC collapse and I have some concerns about the validity of his arguments. While it is important to consider all possibilities and examine evidence, it is also crucial to approach such discussions with a critical and scientific mindset.

Firstly, Professor Jones presents a simplified model of the WTC buildings and their collapse, which may not accurately reflect the complex and dynamic nature of the event. His analysis also does not take into account the extensive damage caused by the planes crashing into the buildings, which weakened the structures and contributed to their collapse.

Furthermore, his claims about the heat from the fires not being enough to cause the collapse do not take into account the thermal expansion of the steel columns, which could have significantly reduced their load-bearing capacity. Additionally, the impact of the debris from the collapsing floors and the redistribution of the building's weight could have also played a role in the collapse.

It is also worth noting that there is a vast amount of scientific evidence and expert analysis that supports the official explanation of the WTC collapse, including reports from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other reputable organizations. While it is important to question and examine evidence, it is also crucial to consider the credibility and expertise of sources.

In conclusion, while Professor Jones' lecture may raise some interesting points, it is important to approach his claims with a critical and scientific mindset and to consider the extensive evidence and analysis from multiple sources. It is not productive or objective to solely rely on one individual's interpretation of the physics of the WTC collapse.