Holes Drilled in Chassis

Hello All
I’m in Asia and saw a big lump of a late model Benz tipper, with camel back suspension on the road.
Every visible bit of chassis had neat & had to be factory drilled holes in the vertical section.
I’ve seen this before in small areas, but never the entire length.
Now I always thought the more holes you had the more you weakened the beam. 
Maybe that only applies to the horizontal section?
Enquiring minds etc
Thanks in advance

Depends where the holes are and size. A lot of Japper chassis are full of holes, presumably for every variation of model/options.

I was always told to drill a hole at the end of a crack to stop it going any further perhaps their getting a head start

Bluey

I was always told to drill a hole at the end of a crack to stop it going any further perhaps their getting a head start


yep, otherwise it would go all the way around to your belly button.

Yes Mammoth has to be right.
Definitely factory job from new.
Approx 1/2" holes, all the way along.
Just never seen that before, and must not effect beam strength
Tks

When I got the Bean it had the chassis drilled with 3 inch holes all the way along just as Birtles had.

I asked a structural engineer to look at it. He said the holes in most places actually strengthened it (vertical web only). points of stress such as spring mounts and cross braces should not be drilled. He said the holes gave a triangulation effect and alsomentioned a 100 ton crane boom is 90% air

Aircraft ribs and load bearing structures all have large holes punched in the webs.

I don't know but sounds good tome

Lang

A lot of "hot rodders " will put "dimples" in panels and chassis rails to add strength and to lighten the panel/rail . These holes have a raised inside edge that compresses the steel to add strength and rigidity
Gumpy