All this talk of buckling is completely irrelevant unfortunately. The three stage model of NIST is a fraud. WTC 7 was in free fall immediately when the northwest corner began descending. The first stage results from NIST setting an artificial start time as David Chandler eloquently explains:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii49BaRDp_A
Free fall means 8 stories of structure were removed completely by something other than gravity or fire. Since NIST says the building came down due to the effects of gravity and fire their theory violates the laws of physics and is therefore a steaming pile of pseudo-science crap.
Once again with the vitriol that you complain others of voicing. You think because your vitriol is aimed at unnamed scientist or unnamed JREF members that it is any better and makes you any less hypocritical?
As you have been told many times, NIST did not state anything concerning 8 stories of removed columns, or 8 stories of free fall OF THE ENTIRE BUILDING. You are speculating, and putting in details that help support your view on this issue...plain and simple.
TAM