CA D-73 Structural Wood Panel Installation
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of structural wood panels in wall,
floor, and roof assemblies?
A. To provide decorative interior finishes
B. To serve as insulation only
C. To provide structural strength and resist applied loads
D. To eliminate the need for framing members
Rationale: Structural wood panels such as plywood and oriented strand
board (OSB) are engineered to transfer and resist structural loads. They
can provide diaphragm and shear-wall action while also helping
distribute loads among framing members.
, 2. Which of the following is commonly considered a structural wood
panel?
A. MDF trim board
B. Particleboard furniture panel
C. Structural plywood
D. Fiberboard ceiling tile
Rationale: Structural plywood is manufactured with wood veneers
bonded together and graded for structural applications. Its strength and
dimensional stability make it suitable for floors, walls, roofs, and other
load-resisting assemblies.
3. What does OSB stand for?
A. Oriented Structural Board
B. Oriented Strand Board
C. Overlay Structural Beam
D. Oriented Surface Base
Rationale: OSB stands for Oriented Strand Board. It is manufactured
from wood strands arranged in oriented layers and bonded with
adhesive under heat and pressure.
4. When installing structural panels over floor joists, the panel's
strength axis should generally be oriented:
,A. Parallel to the joists
B. At a 45-degree angle to the joists
C. Perpendicular to the joists
D. In any direction without regard to span
Rationale: Floor sheathing panels are generally installed with their
strength axis perpendicular to the supporting joists. This orientation
provides the intended spanning capacity and helps the panel perform
properly under floor loads.
5. What is the purpose of tongue-and-groove edges on structural
floor panels?
A. To eliminate all fasteners
B. To provide a decorative edge
C. To provide edge support and help limit differential movement
between panels
D. To increase panel weight
Rationale: Tongue-and-groove joints interlock adjacent panels and
provide support along the panel edges. This helps reduce vertical
movement, improves floor stiffness, and can minimize squeaks when
properly installed.
6. Which condition should be verified before structural wood panels
are installed?
, A. Interior paint color
B. Cabinet hardware
C. Framing alignment, spacing, and condition
D. Appliance placement only
Rationale: Structural panels depend on properly spaced and aligned
framing for support. Before installation, the contractor should verify
that framing members are correctly located, adequately supported, and
ready to receive the panels.
7. What is a common consequence of installing floor sheathing over
improperly spaced joists?
A. Improved structural capacity
B. Reduced material cost
C. Excessive deflection or inadequate structural performance
D. Increased fire resistance
Rationale: Floor panels are designed for specific support conditions and
spans. If joists are spaced farther apart than permitted, the panel may
deflect excessively or fail to meet its required structural performance.
8. Why are panel fasteners important in a structural wood panel
assembly?
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of structural wood panels in wall,
floor, and roof assemblies?
A. To provide decorative interior finishes
B. To serve as insulation only
C. To provide structural strength and resist applied loads
D. To eliminate the need for framing members
Rationale: Structural wood panels such as plywood and oriented strand
board (OSB) are engineered to transfer and resist structural loads. They
can provide diaphragm and shear-wall action while also helping
distribute loads among framing members.
, 2. Which of the following is commonly considered a structural wood
panel?
A. MDF trim board
B. Particleboard furniture panel
C. Structural plywood
D. Fiberboard ceiling tile
Rationale: Structural plywood is manufactured with wood veneers
bonded together and graded for structural applications. Its strength and
dimensional stability make it suitable for floors, walls, roofs, and other
load-resisting assemblies.
3. What does OSB stand for?
A. Oriented Structural Board
B. Oriented Strand Board
C. Overlay Structural Beam
D. Oriented Surface Base
Rationale: OSB stands for Oriented Strand Board. It is manufactured
from wood strands arranged in oriented layers and bonded with
adhesive under heat and pressure.
4. When installing structural panels over floor joists, the panel's
strength axis should generally be oriented:
,A. Parallel to the joists
B. At a 45-degree angle to the joists
C. Perpendicular to the joists
D. In any direction without regard to span
Rationale: Floor sheathing panels are generally installed with their
strength axis perpendicular to the supporting joists. This orientation
provides the intended spanning capacity and helps the panel perform
properly under floor loads.
5. What is the purpose of tongue-and-groove edges on structural
floor panels?
A. To eliminate all fasteners
B. To provide a decorative edge
C. To provide edge support and help limit differential movement
between panels
D. To increase panel weight
Rationale: Tongue-and-groove joints interlock adjacent panels and
provide support along the panel edges. This helps reduce vertical
movement, improves floor stiffness, and can minimize squeaks when
properly installed.
6. Which condition should be verified before structural wood panels
are installed?
, A. Interior paint color
B. Cabinet hardware
C. Framing alignment, spacing, and condition
D. Appliance placement only
Rationale: Structural panels depend on properly spaced and aligned
framing for support. Before installation, the contractor should verify
that framing members are correctly located, adequately supported, and
ready to receive the panels.
7. What is a common consequence of installing floor sheathing over
improperly spaced joists?
A. Improved structural capacity
B. Reduced material cost
C. Excessive deflection or inadequate structural performance
D. Increased fire resistance
Rationale: Floor panels are designed for specific support conditions and
spans. If joists are spaced farther apart than permitted, the panel may
deflect excessively or fail to meet its required structural performance.
8. Why are panel fasteners important in a structural wood panel
assembly?
