Fact Check: Jet fuel doesnt melt steel beams

Fact Check: "Jet Fuel Doesn't Melt Steel Beams"

What We Know

The claim that "jet fuel doesn't melt steel beams" is often cited in discussions surrounding the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. This assertion is based on the fact that the burning temperature of jet fuel, which ranges from approximately 800°F to 1,500°F (426°C to 815°C), is significantly lower than the melting point of steel, which is around 2,500°F (1,370°C) to 2,800°F (1,540°C) depending on the specific type of steel used (source-1, source-3).

However, it is crucial to note that while jet fuel cannot melt steel beams, it can weaken them significantly. Structural engineers have established that steel loses about 50% of its strength at temperatures around 1,100°F (593°C) and becomes nearly useless at temperatures above 1,050°C (1,922°F) (source-3, source-5).

The fires ignited by the impact of the planes and the burning jet fuel, combined with the structural damage from the crashes, created conditions that led to the eventual collapse of the towers. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) concluded that the combination of the impact damage and the subsequent fires caused the floors to sag and pull on the columns, ultimately leading to a progressive collapse (source-2).

Analysis

The assertion that "jet fuel doesn't melt steel beams" is technically accurate but oversimplifies the complexities involved in the structural failure of the World Trade Center. While it is true that jet fuel burns at a temperature insufficient to melt steel, this does not negate the fact that the heat generated by the fires could weaken the steel structure to the point of failure.

Several credible sources, including structural engineering analyses, confirm that the ambient burn temperature of jet fuel is not enough to melt steel but can significantly compromise its structural integrity (source-3, source-5). Furthermore, the argument is often used in conspiracy theories to suggest that the towers were brought down by controlled demolition rather than the impact and subsequent fires, which is a misinterpretation of the evidence (source-1, source-2).

The reliability of the sources discussing this claim is generally high, as they come from established engineering and scientific communities. However, it is essential to approach interpretations of this data critically, especially when used to support conspiracy theories.

Conclusion

The claim that "jet fuel doesn't melt steel beams" is True in the sense that jet fuel burns at temperatures insufficient to melt steel. However, this fact alone does not account for the complexities of structural failure during the 9/11 attacks. The weakening of steel due to heat, combined with the structural damage from the plane impacts, played a critical role in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Fact Check: Jet fuel doesnt melt steel beams