Abstract: In this paper, the behaviour of small crack growth originating at the edge of a hole was studied experimentally and theoretically. The growth of small crack at the edge of central holes under constant-amplitude loading and single-peak overloading is measured by taking surface replicas at regular intervals. The behaviour of small crack growsh is explained by elastic -plastic fracture mechanics and crack closure theory.A Computer program was executed to predict the life of small cracks using the crack closure model. The computing results are in good agreement with the measured results.