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Disasters and Collapses - How and Why Buildings Fall Down
Despite the best laid plans of architects and engineers, great buildings can fall. Some are destroyed by earthquakes, fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Some structures are destroyed by deliberate acts such as the terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Center. Finally, faulty design can lead to structural collapse. Explore these links to explore how and why some buildings fall.
Tsunami-Proof Building
A tsunami has the power to wash away entire villages. Can architects and engineers design a building that will resist the force of tsunami waves?
Build a Safe Room
A safe room, or panic room, provides safety during catastrophic events. Learn about safe rooms and find resources and construction plans for safe rooms.
September 11 Destruction and Reconstruction Plans
Find facts and photos for buildings impacted by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Also learn about reconstruction plans and 9/11 memorials.
Why the World Trade Center Towers Fell
Years after terrorists struck the New York World Trade Center, controversy surrounds the tragic events. Did the airplanes really cause the Twin Towers to collapse? Or were other factors at play?
Did The Building Do It?
A comprehensive study from a professor working under a grant from the National Science Foundation suggests that the design of the World Trade Center buildings may have lead to their collapse during the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
After Katrina -- Lost Architecture in Mississippi
When we talk about Hurricane Katrina, we often focus on the devastation in New Orleans. However, Mississippi also lost many historic buildings.
The London Underground
Hit by terrorist bombs in July, 2005, the London Underground Railway has a long and respected history in the field of civil engineering. Affectionately known as the "Tube," it's the world's oldest passenger subway line. Here are facts and photos.
iCivilEngineer
Follow the iCivilEngineer website and blog for reports of engineering failures and news about research and development in infrastructure and structural engineering.
Why Did the Charles-de-Gaulle Airport Terminal Collapse?
When it opened in 2003, many people praised the futuristic structure, calling it both beautiful and practical. Since there were no internal roof supports, passengers could move easily through the terminal. Was the innovative design partly responsible for the terminal's fatal collapse?
Why the Twin Towers Fell
Engineers who studied the World Trade Center after the September 11 attacks explain why the Twin Towers stood as long as they did, and why they eventually collapsed.
How Skyscrapers Work
From "How Stuff Works," a discussion of the design techniques that allow tall buildings to stand up, and the reasons why some fall down.
Build It - Bust It !
This nifty site designed for younger readers will let you design a structure with beams and joints and then test the load it can support. Also share your creation with others and see their designs.
What is a Levee?
Defininition of the term "levee" with examples, links, and resources.