Pancake collapse of a tall building. In the section of a tall building shown in Figure (a), the infrastructure of any given floor K must support the weight W of all higher floors. Normally the infrastructure is constructed with a safety factor s so that it can withstand an even greater downward force of sW. If, however, the support columns between K and L suddenly collapse and allow the higher floors to free- fall together onto floor K (Figure (b)), the force in the collision can exceed sW and, after a brief pause, cause K to collapse onto floor J, which collapses on floor I, and so on until the ground is reached. Assume that the floors are separated by d = 4.0 m and have the same mass. Also assume that when the floors above K free-fall onto K, the collision lasts 2.0 ms. Under these simplified conditions, what value must the safety factor s exceed to prevent pancake collapse of the building?
Pancake collapse of a tall building. In the section of a tall building shown in Figure (a), the infrastructure of any given floor K must support the weight W of all higher floors. Normally the infrastructure is constructed with a safety factor s so that it can withstand an even greater downward force of sW. If, however, the support columns between K and L suddenly collapse and allow the higher floors to free- fall together onto floor K (Figure (b)), the force in the collision can exceed sW and, after a brief pause, cause K to collapse onto floor J, which collapses on floor I, and so on until the ground is reached. Assume that the floors are separated by d = 4.0 m and have the same mass. Also assume that when the floors above K free-fall onto K, the collision lasts 2.0 ms. Under these simplified conditions, what value must the safety factor s exceed to prevent pancake collapse of the building?
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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