With the increasing complexity of timber structures, accurate computational prediction of the load-deformation behaviour of joints is becoming more important for design. In particular, the initial stiffness is a relevant parameter. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the parameters influencing the connection stiffness is required, but is currently not available for hardwoods. A comprehensive database on the load-deformation behaviour of steel-timber dowel-type connections in beech LVL is being developed on the basis of experimental tests currently being carried out at the University of Stuttgart. The aim is to enable the efficient use of hardwoods in high-performance yet easy-to-manufacture connections by realistically predicting connection stiffness. This paper will give an overview on the first results.
