Technical note: Collapse 9/11– formulae for tall buildings

Engineers have lost a great part of their influence on large projects, and even bridge design – the essence of structural engineering – is more and more attributed to architects. In this situation it is important to remind us what is the real field of structural engineering, and to show that progress and architectural achievements in this field are due to great engineers who also were frequently great characters. This paper, revised and adapted from the Dundee conference, pays special attention to concrete constructions and to the designers who pioneered and created in this domain. Dr-Ing Michel Virlogeux Legion d’Honneur, Chevalier; fib Honorary President; CEng, FIStructE