An axial load is the amount of pulling or stretching force placed on the axis of rotation. One way to think of axial load is when attaching two pieces of wood together with a nut and bolt. Once the nut begins to firmly press against the wood, it begins to exert compression force. As the two pieces of wood struggle to maintain their original shape, force is exerted against the nut and bolt head by the wood. The force exerted against the nut and bolt is the axial load. This load can be increased by adding additional weight to the wood itself.