BC Ch. 15 Terms

Questions and Answers

What characterizes a 90-degree wall collapse?

The wall collapses outward in a fan-like shape

The wall remains partially standing

The wall collapses as one entire unit straight down (correct)

The wall collapses inward in sections

What defines an A-frame floor collapse?

A collapse where all supports fail and the floor falls flat

A collapse where the floor remains mostly intact but tilts

A collapse where the floor bends downward in the middle

A collapse where one end of the floor is supported by an interior wall, creating two void spaces (correct)

What occurs during a cantilever floor collapse?

The floor collapses with no voids created

One end of the floor remains supported while the other end is unsupported, creating potential voids (correct)

The floor collapses in a v-shape

The entire floor collapses evenly

What is a curtain wall collapse most associated with?

Non-load-bearing brick veneer walls or other masonry walls that fall straight down like a curtain Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a global (total) collapse?

An overall structure failure where all components collapse simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

In a collapse where the floor remains intact but tilts, which type of collapse is being described?

A-frame floor collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a characteristic of a 90-degree wall collapse?

The wall remains partially standing Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wall is primarily associated with curtain wall collapse?

Non-load-bearing masonry walls Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a complete failure of the entire building?

The entire structure collapses without any sections remaining Signup and view all the answers

What does an inward outward collapse specifically involve?

Failure of the exterior wall leading to both inward and outward collapse Signup and view all the answers

Which type of structure is most prone to lean over collapse?

A wood-frame building that has shifted at its upper levels Signup and view all the answers

What forms as a result of a lean-to-floor collapse?

A triangular void space due to partial support on one end Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining feature of a pancake collapse?

A situation where the floors and roof stack flat on top of each other Signup and view all the answers

How is a partial collapse defined?

The failure of only a section of a building Signup and view all the answers

What typically initiates a progressive collapse?

A localized structural damage causing a chain reaction Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a secondary collapse?

An additional failure occurring due to load redistribution after the initial collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by situational awareness in firefighting?

Understanding and projecting outcomes based on the environment and conditions Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a V-shaped floor collapse?

Two voids are created as the center fails while the edges remain supported Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Building Collapse Types

90-degree Wall Collapse: Characterized by walls collapsing as a single unit straight down, posing significant risks to both people and property.
A-frame Floor Collapse: Occurs when one end of the floor remains supported by an interior wall, leading to the creation of two void spaces beneath the unsupported section.
Cantilever Floor Collapse: Features one end of the floor supported while the other end is unsupported, resulting in potential voids that can be hazardous.
Curtain Wall Collapse: Involves non-load-bearing walls, like brick veneer, that collapse vertically downward resembling a curtain, which can result in major safety concerns.
Global (Total) Collapse: Refers to a complete failure of the entire structure, compromising all levels and posing extreme danger.
Inward Outward Collapse: Defined by the exterior wall failing horizontally, where the upper part collapses inward and the lower part breaks outward.
Lean Over Collapse: Typically occurs in wood-frame buildings that become unstable and lean at upper levels, leading to structural failures.
Lean-To-Floor Collapse: Results in a triangular void created by one end of the floor being partially supported, which can create dangerous conditions.
Pancake Collapse: Involves the stacking of floors and roof flat on each other, creating a compact mass and complicating rescue efforts.
Partial Collapse: Represents the failure of a part of a building, such as a section of the floor collapsing, rather than the entire structure giving way.
Progressive Collapse: Triggered by local structural damage that initiates a chain reaction of failures throughout the building, posing large scale catastrophic risks.
Secondary Collapse: Occurs as an additional failure after an initial collapse, often caused by shifts in load and further destabilization.
Situational Awareness in Firefighting: Encompasses the perception of one’s surroundings and understanding of dynamic conditions to anticipate potential outcomes during emergencies.
V-shaped Floor Collapse: In this collapse type, the floor fails near the center while the edges remain partially supported, creating two significant voids that can affect safety and stability.

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Description

Test your knowledge on different types of structural collapses including 90-degree wall collapses and A-frame floor collapses. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how various collapses occur and their characteristics. Prepare to explore key concepts in structural engineering.