Does wet wood or dry wood have greater strength?

Dry wood has greater strength compared to wet wood. When wood is dry, it typically exhibits higher mechanical properties, including tensile strength and compressive strength. This is largely because the fibers within the wood are more densely packed and not weakened by the presence of moisture, which can lead to swelling and a reduction in structural integrity.

In contrast, wet wood tends to lose strength due to the presence of water within its cell structure. The water acts as a lubricant, which can cause the fibers to slide past each other more easily under stress, reducing the overall strength of the material. Additionally, when wood is wet, it can be more susceptible to rot and other types of degradation, which further diminishes its strength.

Understanding the differences between the strength of wet and dry wood is essential, especially in contexts like construction and fire safety, where the structural integrity is crucial for safety and performance.