Abstract: The present invention provides for a welded wire lath device having a plurality of longitudinal wires extending along a plane and in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of tension release devices disposed on the plurality of longitudinal wires, a plurality of transverse wires extending along the plane in a transverse direction; and a plurality of weld connections at each intersection point between the plurality of longitudinal wires and the plurality of transverse wires. Each of the plurality of tension release devices are randomly spaced along the plurality of parallel longitudinal wires. The longitudinal wires, including each of the plurality of tension release devices, have a rectilinear cross-section. The present invention also provides for a structural assembly, and related method, having the welded wire lath device attached to a structural support such as a wall or ceiling and having a cementitious material embedded within the welded wire lath device.