On Sat, 26 May 2007 03:22:11 +0000, Larry wrote:

Grade School Physics Factoid:
A building cannot freefall into its own footprint without
skilled demolition.

Civil Engineering Graduate School Fact:

For a tall building to collapse on its footprint, the central support
column should be gravity load bearing and the edge columns should
provide the wind resistance structure . Like, oh, the World Trade
towers.

Gravity overload pulls out the center column fixings, while the edge
columns provide precision collapse guidance.

How 'bout that!

Brian Whatcott Altus OK