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← HistoryWhich risk increases when accumulated rainwater cannot drain properly from a ziggurat's terraces?
A)Internal structural collapse from hydrostatic pressure✓
B)Accelerated aeolian erosion of the baked bricks
C)Foundation subsidence from increased soil saturation
D)Salt efflorescence damage exacerbating brick spalling
💡 Explanation
When rainwater accumulates on terraces, hydrostatic pressure builds because the retained water increases the dead load, leading to stress exceeding the material strength that can cause internal structural fractures and eventual collapse. Therefore internal collapse is the risk, rather than other weathering or soil-related failures requiring longer timescales.
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