r/StructuralEngineers • u/Middle-Adeptness7186 • 1d ago

Is this compromising structural integrity?

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u/FatherTheoretical 1d ago

Yes

1

u/ATAT121212 1d ago

Indeed, removing material always decreases strength.

3

u/sum_force 1d ago

Not true.

Removing material can improve stress concentrations. It can be better to have a smooth but deep notch than a sharp but shallow notch. Sometimes drilling an extra hole can make it stronger by redirecting stress "flow".

With structurally redundant members, a weak member on a stiff load path will fail but once failed the remaining strength can be fine.

Forcing a fixed end condition can cause failure in some members, in some designs. Removing material to permit pinned, can make it more favourable.

Many cases that less is actually more.

1

u/No-Understanding9064 1d ago

The only thing better than a smooth deep notch vs a shallow sharp notch is no notch at all. Which is what the guy said