The drill holes at the end of a crack are used for what purpose?

The use of drill holes at the end of a crack primarily serves to prevent the crack from spreading further. This technique is commonly employed in various materials, such as concrete and metal, where cracks may develop due to stress, environmental factors, or structural deficiencies. By creating a hole at the terminus of a crack, additional stress concentration is mitigated, effectively halting the crack's propagation.

This approach enables structural integrity to be maintained and reduces the risk of catastrophic failure. It is a preventative measure that is particularly important in engineering and construction to ensure safety and longevity of the structures. Other methods, while they may address different concerns, do not specifically look to stop the progression of cracks in the same focused manner.