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← HistoryWhich mechanical vulnerability increased collapse risk when Romans undermined enemy city walls during sieges?
A)Arch keystone instability propagation
B)Lateral earth pressure reduction✓
C)Mortar desiccation and crumbling
D)Localized foundation overload failure
💡 Explanation
When Romans undermined walls, lateral earth pressure reduction occurred, because soil's support against the wall's outward thrust was removed, greatly increasing the likelihood of collapse. Therefore, B results, rather than other failure modes involving keystone instability or mortar degradation under static load.
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