What type of building commonly experiences x-cracking of wall sections between openings?

The correct choice is based on the structural characteristics and behaviors of concrete shear wall buildings. These types of buildings often have shear walls designed to resist lateral forces, such as those imposed by wind or earthquakes. When subjected to such stresses, particularly during seismic events, the walls can experience differential movement, leading to a phenomenon known as x-cracking.

X-cracking occurs between openings, such as windows and doors, as a result of the lateral forces that create tension and compression within the walls. The configuration and rigidity of shear walls make them prone to this specific type of cracking, as the rigid shear wall resists the lateral load but the portions of the wall around the openings do not experience the same level of resistance, resulting in cracks that form in an 'X' pattern between these openings.

In contrast, wood frame buildings typically have a different structural response, relying more on the flexibility of the materials, which generally leads to different types of stress handling and cracking. Steel frame buildings are designed to handle lateral loads through their framework without the same vulnerability to wall cracking. Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings can also exhibit cracking, but the mechanisms and patterns of failure may differ from those observed in concrete shear walls, particularly under load conditions. Thus, the