NIST (technology)

The goals of the investigation of the WTC disaster were :

• To investigate the building construction, the materials used, and the technical conditions that contributed to the outcome of the WTC disaster.
• To serve as the basis for: improvements in the way buildings are designed, constructed, maintained, and used; improved tools and guidance for industry and safety officials; recommended revisions to current codes, standards, and practices; and improved public safety.

The specific objectives were:

• Determine why and how WTC 1 and WTC 2 collapsed following the initial impacts of the aircraft and why and how WTC 7 collapsed;
• Determine why the injuries and fatalities were so high or low depending on location, including all technical aspects of fire protection, occupant behavior, evacuation, and emergency response;
• Determine what procedures and practices were used in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of WTC 1, 2, and 7; and
• Identify, as specifically as possible, areas in current building and fire codes, standards, and practices that warrant revision.

Source: World Trade Center Disaster Study, NIST

Hearings and press briefings

November 20, 2008 – WTC 7 Final Reports Released

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

August 26, 2008 – WTC 7 Technical Briefing

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

August 21, 2008 – WTC 7 Press Briefing

• Statement by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)
• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

September 8, 2006 – New York City Council Joint Meeting

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

October 19, 2005 – 4th Annual Congress on Infrastructure Security for the Built Environment

• Presentation by Dr. James Hill, Building and Fire Research Laboratory Director (PDF)

June 23, 2005 – Public/Media Briefing

• Remarks by Dr. Dr. Hratch Semerjian, Acting NIST Director (PDF)
• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

September 13-15, 2005 – Technical Conference

• Agenda (PDF)
• Presentations

April 5, 2005 – Public Briefing

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)
• Presentation – Introduction to NIST’s World Trade Center Investigation (PDF)
• Presentation – Analysis of Collapse of WTC 1 and WTC 2 (PDF)
• Presentation – Collapse Sequence of WTC 1 and WTC 2 (PDF)
• Presentation – Collapse of WTC 7 (PDF)
• Presentation – Analysis of WTC Towers’ Baseline Performance (PDF)
• Presentation – Life Safety – Evacuation, Emergency Response, Active Systems (PDF)
• Presentation – Building and Fire Safety Procedures and Practices (PDF)
• Presentation – Approach to Recommendations (PDF)

June 8, 2005 – NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition, Las Vegas, NV

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder and Dr. William L. Grosshandler, Lead Investigator and Investigator (PDF)

September 9, 2004 – Chicago Committee on High-Rise Buildings

• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

February 12, 2004 – Public Meeting

• Agenda (PDF)
• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)
• Full Transcript (PDF)

October 23, 2003 – Workshop to Review Reference Structural Models of the WTC Towers Developed by LERA

• Minutes (PDF)

September 17, 2003 – Media Briefing

• Remarks by Dr. Jack Snell, Director, Building and Fire Research Laboratory (PDF)
• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)
• Presentation by Jason Averill, Investigator (PDF)
• Presentation by J.R. Lawson, Investigator (PDF)

May 7, 2003 – News Briefing

• Presentation by Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr., NIST Director (PDF)
• Presentation by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

April 8, 2003 – Public Briefing

• Presentation by Jason Averill, Investigator (PDF)

December 9, 2002 – News Briefing

• Remarks by Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr., NIST Director (PDF)
• Remarks by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

August 21, 2002 – News Briefing

• Remarks by Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr., NIST Director (PDF)
• Remarks by Dr. S. Shyam Sunder, Lead Investigator (PDF)

June 24, 2002 – Public Meeting

• Agenda and recorded webcast
• Statement – NIST Open Meeting Scope of Interviews – Key Points for Pending NIST Investigation, Monica Gabrielle, Co-Chairperson, Skyscraper Safety Campaign (PDF)

Comments from the public

• Public comments received by NIST August 21 – September 15, 2008 (PDF)
• Transcript of NIST Public Meeting in New York City – February 12, 2004 (PDF)

FAQs

• Questions and Answers about the NIST WTC 7 Investigation (Updated 12/18/08)
• NIST Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster FAQs – Supplement (December 14, 2007)
• NIST Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster FAQs (Aug. 30, 2006)
• National Construction Safety Team Act
• NIST’s Investigation of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center Disaster–FAQ
• NIST’s World Trade Center Investigation Improving the Future Safety of Buildings, Occupants, and First Responders
• NIST Tests Provide Fire Resistance Data on World Trade Center Floor Systems
• NIST Building Fire and Structural Failure Investigations
• NIST Technologies Help Improve Homeland Security
• Fire, Smoke, and Simulations

Reports

• Investigation of WTC 1 and 2
  
• Investigation of WTC 7