The present work focuses on analysis of deformation and strength behaviour of slotted-in steel plate connections in glued laminated timber (GLT).In Eurocode 5(EC5), the design of metal dowel-type timber jointsis based on the yield theory presented by Johansen.It consists of analytical expressions to calculate the lateral load-carrying capacity of single fastener joints that exhibit different (plastic) failure modes.When designing optimised multiple fastener connections that are exposed to dominating moment action, the calculation of fastener forces and their directions during progressive plasticization of the dowel group is difficult to perform manually. Therefore, a simple numerical model to simulate progressive elasto-plastic force development for every individual dowel is needed. This study presents new and simple models to analyse the bending deformations of glulam beams jointed with mechanical slotted-in steel plate connections. The proposed models were experimentally verified using results obtained from a joint project with the Material Testing Institute (MPA) at University of Stuttgart.
