Looks like the Purdue University computer simulation story has made it to USA Today. Time to post in the comments section!

Source: http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/06/simulation_show.html#SignOut

Simulation shows effect of insulation in collapse of buildings on 9/11

A new computer simulation supports the argument that the impact of the airplanes sheared off the insulation and weakened the structure of the World Trade Center before the Twin Towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the Associated Press.

"The report concludes that the weight of the aircraft's fuel, when ignited, produced 'a flash flood of flaming liquid' that knocked out a number of structural columns within the building and removed the fireproofing insulation from other support structures," Christoph Hoffmann tells the wire service.

Hoffman tells the AP that this was the first time 3-D animation was used to simulate the impact and the aftermath of the attacks. He says it shows insulation is a key part of fireproofing.

You can watch a simulation on YouTube.

Posted by Mike Carney at 09:48 AM/ET, June 20, 2007 in Nation, Terrorism | Permalink