What is the purpose of using hollow stay bolts on water legs?

The purpose of using hollow stay bolts on water legs is to allow for leak detection if they fail. Hollow stay bolts are designed with a passage through their center, which serves an important function in monitoring the integrity of the system. If a stay bolt fails and water leaks through it, the hollow design allows the leakage to be evident, providing an early warning sign of potential issues. This leak detection feature is crucial in maintenance and safety protocols, enabling operators to address problems before they become more severe and potentially compromise the structure or lead to system failures.

The other options, while relevant to various engineering practices, do not specifically capture the primary function of hollow stay bolts in this context. For example, while easier installation could be a benefit in some scenarios, it does not specifically address the unique utility of the hollow design. Similarly, structural integrity and material cost considerations are important in engineering but do not highlight the key advantage of the leak detection capability offered by hollow stay bolts.