Help me understand the collapse a bit more

[kalen]

Is it hard to comprehend because we imagine them as solid structures?

If Dylan is reading, and I am sure he often does, explain it to him, and to me.
One difference is, I will be listening.

I would use the words "rigid structure" and not "solid structure." Most of the volume contained in most buildings, including the WTC, is AIR.

If the WTC was made of solid steel, for example, it would have collapse in a different manner. But it wasn't, and it didn't.

 

[Furcifer]

Yah, as Dave pointed out the Gordon Ross theory relies on a perfectly symetrical collision. Since we're all throwing anologies around, the best one I can think of is dropping a full glass of water on the ground. Much like Ross' theory, if you drop the glass perfectly there is a "sweet spot" where it hits the ground and doesn't spill a drop. As long as the bottom of the glass remains horizontal to the ground at impact, in theory, it won't tip or spill. This was the image I got in my head when I first read his paper, and still the reason I laugh out loud when I think about it.