A molded groove, bead projection or indentation usually running with the sheet of metal deck used to strengthen the flats to minimize oil canning or buckling.

How A Stiffener Works:

A stiffener protects sheets from out of plane deformations by adding extra stiffness to the sheet.

Why A Stiffener Matters:

Sheets of metal deck can be under lots of stress, so by adding stiffeners this helps strengthen the flats of the metal deck from bending or flexing. Learn more on The Anatomy of Metal Deck.