Elastic and Strength Properties of OSB Layers

Experiments were conducted to determine the elastic and strength properties of the face and core layers of a commercial OSB/3 (oriented strand board) panel, 18 mm thick. Five elastic constants for each layer, as well tensile strength in three directions (0°, 45° and 90° with respect to the major OSB axis) were obtained in tension testing. Deformations of the samples were measured with the aid of resistance strain gauges. All the Young’s moduli as well as the shear modulus of the face layer were distinctly higher than those of the core layer (2.18 – 2.23 and 2 times, respectively). The density of the face layer turned out to be 40 % higher than that of the core one. All the obtained results confi rm that the face and core layers of the OSB/3 panel differ considerable in respect of density, elastic and strength properties but they have orthotropic properties.