On 18-Oct-2005, "John H. Holliday" nospam@okcorral wrote:

Holes near the end will weaken it less than holes near the middle of the
span.

Mid span experiences the highest bending moments and the ends, the greatest
shear. A hole at mid-depth has less effect on bending than on shear. Why
should holes in the shear zones be stronger than in the bending zones?

Mike