Drilling a hole in a piece of steel?

Question

What is the rule of thumb on the minimum distance from the edge you can drill a hole without losing strength on that edge? Is it proportional to the size of the hole? Any information would be great. Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

The minimum distance from the edge of any plate steel material is dependent on the bolt size you intend to install in the hole. It also depends on the condition of the edge of the plate steel. Pieces that are sheared or cut away from other plates have a higher edge distance from the center of the hole to the edge of the plate than edges that are at rolled edges of shapes or rolled plates.

The Manual of Steel Construction 9th edition as published by the American Institute of Steel Construction has a table for minimum edge distances to the center of a "standard holes." A standard hole is one in which the hole diameter is 1/8" larger than the nominal size of the bolt.

For 1/2" bolts - 7/8" minimum edge distance from center of hole
for 5/8" bolts - 1 1/8" MED
for 3/4" bolts - 1 1/4" MED
for 7/8" bolts - 1 1/2" MED
fpr 1" bolts - 2" MED

Answer 2

There used to be rules of thumb when rivets were commonly used in steel fabrication, learnt about it once. I imagine it is about 1.5 times the hole diameter but I may be wrong.

Answer 3

the tear out distance for holes is normally 1-1.5 times the diameter. that is the remaining material minimum width is 1-1.5 times the hole diameter.

Answer 4

i think the 1.5 x the dia is correct however as the material becomes thinner & the dia of the penitration incresses the distance has also to incress

Answer 5

The link on rivet design may help.

Answer 6

its 8*bolt diameter