Final answer:
The answer to the question regarding which of the listed items is not an advantage of cast-iron buildings is B) Structural flexibility. Cast-iron is known for its fire resistance, rapid construction, and cost-effectiveness, but not for being flexible.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are advantages of cast-iron building except:
- A) Fire resistance
- B) Structural flexibility
- C) Rapid construction
- D) Cost-effectiveness
The correct answer is B) Structural flexibility. Cast-iron buildings are known for their fire resistance due to the noncombustible nature of iron, the speed at which constructions can be completed because of prefabricated elements, and their cost-effectiveness due to the reduced amount of skilled labor needed. However, cast-iron as a material offers little in the way of structural flexibility. Unlike steel, it is brittle and does not bend or flex well under stress, which can lead to cracking or breakage under significant loads or during seismic events.
During the Industrial Revolution, the advent of new building materials and techniques, such as the use of cast iron and steel, enabled the construction of buildings that were previously unattainable. The mention of Charles Bage's fireproof design and Eaton Hodgkinson's section beam illustrates the pioneering stages of cast-iron use in buildings.