Different construction methods exist for mid and high-rise timber buildings. These constructions are made possible by the use of mechanical connections. One of them is the rod-type assembly, which consists of a plate and fasteners such as dowels or bolts. The fasteners transfer loads by shearing and embedding into the wood. The behavior of this type of assembly depends on the material and loading parameters.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the nonlinearities of the assembly under static and cyclic loading conditions. Initially, 2D optical measurements are employed to observe the kinematics of each component within the assembly. This technique is applied at various scales, from single dowel behavior to embedment effects, as well as one-dowel and multi-dowel assemblies. However, the limitations of 2D observations, particularly in capturing wood deformation, necessitate the use of three-dimensional techniques such as X-ray tomography, which provides deeper insights into the hysteresis behavior observed under cyclic loading.

Based on the experimental observations, an adapted static modeling approach is established for the assembly using a statistical framework. These models account for key parameters that contribute to the variable response of the assembly. Their accuracy and limitations are assessed through experimental validation. Regarding the cyclic behavior of the assembly, phenomenological models are applied and analyzed based on experimen-tal tests. In addition, a time-differentiable model is proposed to capture the dynamic response of the assembly, enabling its integration into monitoring applications.