Verify proprietary angle brackets, hold-downs, and shear plates to Eurocode 5 and Supplier ETAs. Access a unified library of Rothoblaas, Pitzl, Eurotec, and Sihga products.
In modern timber engineering, standard bolts often aren’t enough. Engineers rely on high-performance proprietary connectors—Hold-Downs for uplift, Angle Brackets for shear, and specialized plates for tension. However, navigating dozens of different European Technical Assessments (ETAs) and manufacturer catalogs is time-consuming and prone to error.
The SPEC Toolbox Brackets Module centralizes this data into one powerful verification engine. Whether you are anchoring a CLT wall or connecting a glulam column, this tool allows you to select, compare, and verify products from leading European suppliers like Rothoblaas, Pitzl, Eurotec, and Sihga in a single interface.
This tool combines the rigour of EN 1995-1-1 with the specific performance data of supplier ETAs. It includes:
1. The Power of ETA Integration
Proprietary brackets don’t follow simple yield formulas; their capacity is determined by testing.
Our module is directly linked to the European Technical Assessment (ETA) of every product.
Instead of manually looking up Table 3.1 in a 50-page PDF, the software automatically retrieves the correct $R_{1,k}$ (Uplift) or $R_{2,k}$ (Shear) value based on your nailing pattern and load duration.
2. Angle Brackets & Hold-Downs
The module covers the full spectrum of anchoring needs:
3. Integrated Education
Design isn’t just about numbers. The module includes educational content and dynamic tooltips to help you select the right product type for the job—avoiding the common mistake of using a “shear bracket” for a “hold-down” application.
We have partnered with leading manufacturers to provide verified digital twins of their most popular products.
Rothoblaas
Pitzl
Eurotec & Sihga
Design Resistance ($R_d$):
$$R_d = \frac{k_{mod} \cdot R_k}{\gamma_M}$$
The tool handles the complex interaction between the steel bracket capacity and the timber fastener capacity, ensuring the governing failure mode is identified.
Fastener Group Checks:
For brackets requiring multiple nails (e.g., CNA 4.0×60), the tool verifies the effective number of fasteners ($n_{ef}$) and the minimum spacing requirements to prevent group tear-out in the timber member.
Yes. You can switch between a Rothoblaas WHT and a similar competitor product to compare capacity and installation requirements instantly.
The tool verifies the force transferred to the anchor bolt. For the concrete breakout verification itself, we provide the reaction forces needed to run a separate check in accordance with Eurocode 2 (or manufacturer concrete software).
Yes. As suppliers update their ETAs or release new ranges (like the WKR Double), our cloud-based library is updated to ensure you are always designing with the latest certified values.
Steel-to-timber dowel and bolt connections look simple on drawings, but these joints are where “clean” global actions become messy local demands, especially when the connection must carry moment, shear, and…
Read More
MELBOURNE, Australia: SPEC Toolbox (formerly CLT Toolbox), the construction technology platform automating complex engineering for sustainable building materials, has successfully raised $3 million in a Pre-Series A funding round. The…
Read More
Designing screwed timber connections is a critical aspect of modern timber construction, where screws are increasingly used for their efficiency, speed of installation, and structural performance. With the growing adoption…
Read More
As mass timber construction continues to gain prominence in the building industry, driven by its sustainability credentials and structural capabilities, the demand for more elaborate and high-strength connections has increased….
Read More
Why This Ribbed Deck Blog Matters Ribbed decks are an innovative solution in modern timber construction, offering a combination of strength, stiffness, and material efficiency. However, engineers often face challenges…
Read More
