Elementary and advanced modelling of the splitting strength of timber connections

The load-bearing capacity of a timber member loaded perpendicular-to-grain by a connection is governed by either the embedment strength, the bending yield strength of the steel fasteners, or the splitting strength of the timber. Only coarse models for predicting the splitting strength are implemented in structural design codes, if any. It is of great importance for engineers to avoid splitting failure because it is often a brittle failure mode.