Reply #18: NIST didn't test for explosive residue... in fact, they aren't even *sure* which metal

[Ghost in the Machine]

came from which towers except for the Twin Towers... I posted this last week here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x203623#203631

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There was absolutely NO steel that was positively identified as coming from WTC 7 that was used in their analysis. Period. Below is a copy of an email exchange I had with Michael Newman of NIST...

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from D D <[e-mail] > hide details May 1 (2 days ago)
to [e-mail]
date May 1, 2008 3:37 PM
subject Analysis of WTC 7 Steel
mailed-by gmail.com

Hello,

I was wondering if you could tell me how much steel from WTC 7 has actually been analysed during your investigations. I have seen a report stating that there has been NONE, but I find that hard to believe. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated as I am in a debate/discussion over this matter and would like to have an informed opinion with which to speak from.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Douglas Davis
Niota, Tn

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from "Michael E. Newman" <[e-mail] > hide details May 2 (1 day ago)
to D D <[e-mail] >
date May 2, 2008 4:06 PM
subject Re: Analysis of WTC 7 Steel
mailed-by nist.gov

Douglas,

NIST sought to positively identify the origin of all steel used in its investigation of the World Trade Center disaster. This was accomplished either through identifying markings (stampings) or by geometry of the recovered steel. Of the seven buildings in the WTC complex, only the towers (WTC 1 and WTC 2) had identifying markings, or shapes of columns or beams sufficient to unambiguously identify the original building. It was not possible to unambiguously distinguish the steel from the hotel (WTC 3), the three similar nine story buildings (WTC 4 through WTC 6) and the 47-story WTC 7.

If NIST was not able to positively identify the origin of a sample of steel, then it was not used to draw conclusions or inferences. While NIST is aware of the steel sample described as "Sample 1" in Appendix C of the FEMA report on the WTC disaster, NIST found no evidence that the sample was from WTC 7. Since we have been unable to verify that this sample came from WTC 7, it was not used in the investigation.

NIST conducted tests of many specimens of steel identified from the WTC towers to obtain both physical and mechanical properties. The properties so obtained were found to fall within the expected variation. The measured properties were used in conjunction with historical values from the literature and, in some cases, recovered mill test results for the subsequent analyses. Using this same approach, even if "Sample 1" had been known to be from WTC 7, NIST would not use properties obtained from testing a single piece of steel as the basis of its calculations.

Furthermore, in its testing of recovered steel for the investigation, NIST has taken great care in preparing test specimens only from steel that did not show any evidence of damage. As indicated in the FEMA report, Sample 1 was severely eroded and, therefore, one would not expect to obtain reliable mechanical properties from a sample that was altered by high temperature corrosion.

Hope this answers your question.

Thank you,
Michael Newman
NIST Public Affairs

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Michael E. Newman
Senior Communications Officer
Public Affairs Office
National Institute of Standards and Technology
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1070
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070

Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

NIST info at http://www.nist.gov
NIST news and Tech Beat newsletter at http://www.nist.gov/news
WTC investigation info at http://wtc/nist.gov

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It does look like NIST is going to explore the possiblity of controlled demolition, though...

"This hypothesis may be supported or modified, or new hypotheses may be developed, through the course of the continuing investigation. NIST also is considering whether hypothetical blast events could have played a role in initiating the collapse. While NIST has found no evidence of a blast or controlled demolition event, NIST would like to determine the magnitude of hypothetical blast scenarios that could have led to the structural failure of one or more critical elements."

http://wtc.nist.gov/pubs/factsheets/faqs_8_2006.htm **scroll all the way to the bottom of the page**