This thesis brings the disciplines of Building Science and Wood Science together in the study of the moisture-related properties of oriented strand board (OSB). Using controlled mill-manufactured panels specifically made for this project, this research reveals how the sorption and permeance properties of OSB are affected by several variables including production parameters and physical panel properties, moisture-history, and relative humidity exposure. Since OSB varies in composition through its thickness, this study isolated and tested various core and surface components. Permeability and sorption properties of individual OSB layers, intact panel sections, and panel sections that had undergone cyclic wetting and drying or relative humidity cycling prior to testing, were evaluated.;After laboratory testing and analysis, a set of OSB permeance and sorption values were entered into the material database of a finite-element hygrothermal computer modeling program. Relying on this data, a series of hygrothermal wall simulations were carried out using standard wall sections exposed to various climate conditions found throughout North America. These simulations revealed that the results vary widely depending upon the permeance and sorption values used. Thus the common practice of characterizing a range of OSB products with various moisture histories by using a single permeance or sorption value may not be wise.
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