Timber moment connections: Technical literature review and quantitative performance benchmarking

This paper presents a technical review and quantitative performance benchmarking of timber moment connections. An experimental database with 232 connection configurations is compiled and analyzed based on 47 publications published between 2007 and 2025. The moment connection systems are classified by the load-to-fastener angle (laterally loaded, axially loaded, and hybrid/specialized) as well as specialty solutions. Key connection performance characteristics, limitations, and design approaches are reviewed and summarized. To enable consistent cross-study benchmarking, connection performance is normalized using dimensionless stiffness and strength indices adapted from the Eurocode 3 joint classification framework. The results indicate that most connections (85.5%) exhibit semi-rigid rotational stiffness at a typical beam span-to-depth ratio of 13, with no connections achieving the rigid threshold. In terms of strength, 78.4% of connections are classified as partial-strength or full-strength, meaning that their moment resistance is significant relative to the bending resistance of the connected members. Connections with axially loaded fasteners demonstrate superior performance in both stiffness and strength compared to connections with laterally loaded fasteners. Fastener diameter shows a moderately positive impact on the strength of laterally loaded connections but has a limited impact on connection stiffness across all connection types. These findings confirm that timber moment connections should generally be analyzed assuming semi-rigid behavior. The proposed framework and comparative analysis provide a foundation to guide future research, support the expansion of FPInnovations’ database, inform code development, and assist designers in selecting appropriate moment connection systems.