Which deck is constructed of sawn lumber transversely post-tensioned with high-strength steel bars through the deck portion?

Which deck is constructed of sawn lumber transversely post-tensioned with high-strength steel bars through the deck portion?

• A. Plan deck
• B. Wearing surface
• C. Stress laminated
• D. Nail laminated deck

Answer: (C)

Stress-laminated decks rely on sawn lumber laminae bonded together and then post-tensioned with high-strength steel bars that run through the deck thickness. The bars are tensioned to compress the wood, creating a single stiff, prestressed unit that behaves like a composite beam. This increases bending strength and reduces deflection under load. Other options don’t use this through-deck post-tensioning: a plain deck is just simple boards without lamination or prestress, a wearing surface is only the top finish, and a nail-laminated deck is built up with nailed layers but without the transverse tensioning that bonds and prestresses the deck.

Stress-laminated decks rely on sawn lumber laminae bonded together and then post-tensioned with high-strength steel bars that run through the deck thickness. The bars are tensioned to compress the wood, creating a single stiff, prestressed unit that behaves like a composite beam. This increases bending strength and reduces deflection under load.

Other options don’t use this through-deck post-tensioning: a plain deck is just simple boards without lamination or prestress, a wearing surface is only the top finish, and a nail-laminated deck is built up with nailed layers but without the transverse tensioning that bonds and prestresses the deck.