Currently used method of stress laminating sawn timber bridge decks possesses a significant stress relaxation problem due to the rod force being applied perpendicular to grain. Based on theoretical consideration, a cross laminate can be developed which would greatly improve the stress relaxation characteristic of the decking and, at the same time, provide a better dimensionally stable product with potential for material amount and quality savings. An experimental investigation is proposed to compare the stress relaxation characteristics of the cross laminate to that of solid sawn lumber. The experimental investigation will also encompass the effect of variation of core to face and back material ratio.
