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Disasters and Collapses - How and Why Buildings Fall DownDespite 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.
After Katrina -- Lost Architecture in Mississippi
Many historic buildings were destroyed by the record-breaking Hurricane Katrina. Here's an inventory of the losses with links to before and after photos. 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. 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. Failure Watch
List of recent civil engineering failures and collapses. 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. 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. What is a Levee?
Defininition of the term "levee" with examples, links, and resources. 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. |
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