Stresses associated with multiple holes whose individual stresses interact

The stress consequences of adding an auxiliary hole in the neighborhood of an original hole are determined from the load-induced thermal information when the geometric discontinuities are sufficiently close together that their respective stresses interact. The particular situation involves a smaller round hole near a larger round hole in a finite, isotropic tensile member where the holes are aligned in the direction of loading. Introducing a second hole reduces the stresses at each hole had it alone been present. The results correlate well with those from finite elements, strain gage and load equilibrium. The developed technology has relevance for isotropic, orthotropic or functionally graded materials.