The development of Eurocode 5, the future European timber design code
which is based on the partial safety coefficient method, means a chang
e of timber design code formats in a number of European countries. Bec
ause of the change in the code format from allowable values towards pa
rtial safety coefficients, characteristic values of strength and stiff
ness of materials and connections are needed. In order to establish ch
aracteristic values of the strength and stiffness of tooth-plate conne
ctions, existing test data have been evaluated. The results of the eva
luation correspond well to a calculation model assuming a load sharing
between the connector and the bolt.