Strain-Softening Response and Failure Prediction in Notched Oriented Strand Board

Abstract

The strain-softening response and failure of oriented strand boards (OSBs) were investigated both experimentally and numerically. Standard tests were used to characterize the elastic (modulus of elasticity) as well as damage properties (damage height, damage initiation strain, and fracture energy) of OSBs in two principal (parallel and perpendicular) directions. Experimental data were then used in conjunction with a recently developed physically based damage model to simulate the nonlinear response of notched OSB samples under tension using the finite-element (FE) method. Acceptable agreement between the FE simulations and experimental data was found. The results suggest that a strain-softening approach is capable of accurately modeling the damage progression in notched OSB samples.