Institute for Transportation

Since their introduction in the late 1980s, more than 400 stress-laminated wood deck bridges have been built in the United States. Although there are guide specifications for the design of these bridges, little information exists on proper construction practices. Most bridges have been built by local governments
with widespread geographical distribution. Therefore, little opportunity exists for local jurisdictions and contractors to gain experience in stress-laminated construction. As a result, there is confusion regarding proper construction methodology, and practices that adversely affect bridge performance continue to perpetuate as new structures are built. This paper summarizes
recommended construction practices for stresslaminated
lumber bridge decks, including bridge materials, assembly, and bar tensioning.