r/NoStupidQuestions • u/JMRooDukes808 • 6d ago

Do you think the 9/11 hijackers knew that the WTC buildings would collapse?

I really don’t know where else to ask this. There is obviously an overload of information about the event itself online, but one thing I can’t find out is if the hijackers intended to, or knew that the WTC buildings would collapse. Do you think they just planned on the impact and fires to be the extent of the damage caused? As far as I know, no steel structure buildings in history had collapsed from fire at that point, so it makes me wonder if they actually “succeeded” in their plan more than they intended.

Edit: no conspiracies please, that was not the point of my post

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u/_j7b 5d ago

Mount Vesuvius was thought to be a mountain. The Roman’s didn’t have a word for volcano.

Sometimes we just don’t know what we don’t know. It’s wild to see an example of this in my lifetime.

IIRC, a documentary did say that the unique structure of the WTCs was part of the reason why it collapsed. Ironically, and supposedly, the architect designed it that way to help his own fear of tall buildings. IIRC, it was like an exoskeleton rather than having all its support come from a strong core.

In fairness, you smash a few planes into any building I’d expect most to come tumbling to some degree. Then again, I’m Australian. Our buildings fall down without much prompting.

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u/Sr_K 5d ago

I mean, buildings being prepared for earthquakes I get, I dont think planes crash into buildings often enough to warrant preoccupation, although I was surprised to learn 9/11 wasn't the first case of a plane crashing into a building in NYC, NOR was it the first al qaeda terrorist attack on the WTC

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u/RobArtLyn22 5d ago

The design of the WTC was intended to maximize clear interior space. A strong core and strong outer wall allows for stringers to be run in between holding up the floor plates without any columns like most tall buildings where the outer wall is just a thin curtain the keep the wind and rain out and all the structural support comes from the interior columns.