Which type of structural opening is generally considered to cause LESS damage to the structural member?

The type of structural opening that is generally considered to cause less damage to the structural member is the center cut. This method allows for the removal of material from the center of a member, minimizing the impact on its overall integrity. The structural member retains more of its support capabilities because the load-bearing areas, typically found at the ends or edges, are preserved. By maintaining the surrounding material, the center cut approach reduces the likelihood of compromising the structural strength or introducing vulnerabilities that could lead to failure.

In contrast, other cutting techniques, such as overcut, undercut, and flush cut, often remove material from the sides or edges, which are critical for the member's overall strength and stability. These methods can create stress concentrations and reduce the load-bearing capacity of the structural element, potentially leading to greater damage and loss of integrity compared to the center cut technique.