Which collapse pattern offers a good chance of habitable void spaces on both sides of the center wall?

• A. A-frame collapse
• B. Lean-to collapse
• C. Pancake collapse
• D. Cantilever collapse

Answer: (A)

When assessing collapse patterns, think about how the moving mass leaves pockets of space that can be entered or occupied. In an A-frame collapse, the roof and walls fail toward the center, creating two triangular, open pockets on opposite sides of the center wall. That configuration tends to leave habitable void spaces on both sides because each side preserves enough clearance and structure to form its own usable pocket. This symmetry is what makes it the best choice for potential rescue access on both sides. Other patterns typically produce a single void on one side, a flattened pile, or an outward-spreading collapse that doesn’t provide two distinct habitable spaces.