Ch. 21 High rise bldg. collapse

Question 1

Progressive collapse occurs when the initial load failure spreads from structural element to structural element, resulting in the collapse of the entire structure. What is a progressive collapse also known as?

Answer 1

Also known as a disproportionate collapse, is defined as the spread of local damage from a initiating event, from element to element, eventually resulting in the collapse of the entire structure or a disproportionately large part of it.

Question 2

A partition that extends from floor slab to the floor slab above is known as what type of wall?

Answer 2

A DEMISING partition wall

Question 3

A wall that extends only to the underside of the ceiling and does not stop or limit fire spread above the ceiling is known as what type of wall?

Answer 3

A DWARF partition wall.

Question 4

When a uncontrolled high rise fire happens, the IC must plan for the rare event of a global collapse of a high rise bldg. WTC bldg. 7 collapsed solely because of fire destruction. NIST experts described it as what type of collapse?

Answer 4

A progressive collapse