Which pattern describes a collapse where the pattern resembles a frame with the load-bearing wall at the center?

Which pattern describes a collapse where the pattern resembles a frame with the load-bearing wall at the center?

• A. Pancake
• B. V-shaped
• C. Lean-to
• D. A-frame

Answer: (D)

An A-frame collapse is when the structure ends up looking like a frame with the load-bearing wall at the center. The central wall acts as the spine, and the roof and floors tend to push outward on both sides, so the building takes on a triangular, frame-like silhouette with the center still standing while the sides tilt away. This pattern tells you the central bearing element remains relatively intact, while outer components have failed, guiding you to search around the centerline for possible voids or pockets and to approach with an understanding that the central wall may still be carrying load. In contrast, a pancake pattern stacks floors straight down, a lean-to pattern collapses to one side, and a V-shaped pattern forms a V from the base as the structure splits outward, none of which match the described frame-with-center wall appearance.

An A-frame collapse is when the structure ends up looking like a frame with the load-bearing wall at the center. The central wall acts as the spine, and the roof and floors tend to push outward on both sides, so the building takes on a triangular, frame-like silhouette with the center still standing while the sides tilt away. This pattern tells you the central bearing element remains relatively intact, while outer components have failed, guiding you to search around the centerline for possible voids or pockets and to approach with an understanding that the central wall may still be carrying load. In contrast, a pancake pattern stacks floors straight down, a lean-to pattern collapses to one side, and a V-shaped pattern forms a V from the base as the structure splits outward, none of which match the described frame-with-center wall appearance.