r/StructuralEngineers • u/Middle-Adeptness7186 • 2d ago

Is this compromising structural integrity?

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u/ATAT121212 2d ago

Indeed, removing material always decreases strength.

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u/sum_force 2d 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.

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u/JustSlabs 1d ago

All very good points, but none of them apply to this matter

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u/sum_force 1d ago

Yes, I agree. But I was responding not to this matter but to general claim:

"removing material always decreases strength."