In which direction does wood typically split during stress?

Wood typically splits along the grain due to its natural structure and the alignment of cellulose fibers within it. The fibers are arranged in a parallel manner, which provides strength and resilience when forces are applied along their length. When stress is applied, such as from bending or tension, the internal structure of the wood tends to separate more easily in the direction of the grain rather than against it. This aligns with the mechanical properties of wood, where the tensile strength is significantly greater along the grain than across it.

In contrast, when stress is applied across or diagonal to the grain, the likelihood of splitting decreases, and the wood is generally more resistant to failure in those directions due to the cohesion of the cellulose fibers. Understanding this is crucial for applications in aviation and construction, where the orientation of wood relative to the stress it will encounter can greatly influence performance and safety.