Global Structural Analysis of the Response of World Trade Center Building 7 to Fires and Debris Impact Damage, Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster (NIST NCSTAR 1-9A)

Published

November 20, 2008

Author(s)

Robert S. MacNeill, Therese P. McAllister

Abstract

This report analyzes the global response of WTC 7 to fire-induced structural failures and the resulting sequence of component and subsystem failures to determine the events that led to the global collapse of the building. The analysis involved a finite element model of the entire building, which was developed in LS-DYNA. Preliminary work involved two-story and 14 story subassemblies. The 47 story global model was based on the original structural drawings as well as construction fabrication shop drawings for connections. The model included the primary structural components throughout the building, including exterior and core columns, floor framing beams and girders, floor slabs, column transfer truss structures, wind bracing truss members, and penthouse structures.

Citation

National Construction Safety Team Act Reports (NIST NCSTAR) -

NIST Pub Series

National Construction Safety Team Act Reports (NIST NCSTAR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

building evacuation, emergency response, fire safety, structural collapse, tall buildings, World Trade Center

Citation

MacNeill, R. and McAllister, T. (2008), Global Structural Analysis of the Response of World Trade Center Building 7 to Fires and Debris Impact Damage, Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster (NIST NCSTAR 1-9A), National Construction Safety Team Act Reports (NIST NCSTAR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861612 (Accessed October 24, 2025)