How can you stop a rupture or crack that continues to expand?

Drilling 1/4" holes at the ends of a crack is an effective method for managing stress concentration in the material, which can prevent further propagation of the crack. By relieving the stress at both ends, the likelihood of the crack expanding further is reduced. This technique effectively creates a stop or barrier to the crack's growth, ensuring that it does not continue to spread beyond the point where the holes were drilled.

This approach is particularly valuable in damage control situations, where structural integrity is critical. The act of drilling the holes enables the material to better distribute the stress that might otherwise cause the crack to expand. In many engineering and maintenance practices, this method is recognized as a temporary yet effective solution before more extensive repairs can be carried out.

Other methods, such as applying pressure tape or filling the crack with sealant immediately, may not address the underlying stress issues that cause the crack to expand. Simply ignoring the problem can lead to more severe damage and safety hazards, thus making the drilled holes an essential intervention in such cases.