What is the main concern when assessing structural integrity in a heavy collapse?

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The primary concern when assessing structural integrity in a heavy collapse is the potential for secondary collapse. When a structure has already suffered a significant failure, there is a heightened risk that additional parts of the structure may also give way, especially if the initial collapse has compromised the load-bearing elements. This risk must be carefully evaluated to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and any potential survivors still trapped within the debris.

In scenarios involving heavy collapses, understanding the dynamics of the structure and how it might continue to fail is crucial. Engineers and safety officers will assess the remaining structural elements, looking for signs of instability, to prevent further harm. This concern overrides the urgency to minimize rescue time, the presence of hazardous materials, or weather conditions, which, while important, are secondary to the immediate hazard posed by the potential for additional structural failure.

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