Last Updated: 22 januari 2023
Design Software for Structural Engineers

Design Structural Screw Connections to Eurocode 5

Design structural screw connections in Europe to Eurocode 5 across softwood, hardwood, glulam, CLT and LVL, with real fastener geometry and strength data pulled from supplier product ranges rather than a generic table. Withdrawal, shear and reinforcement checks run automatically, with draft prEN 1995 provisions extending coverage to CLT. No spreadsheets, no chasing product sheets. Try the calculator to specify your next screwed connection with confidence.

Start Designing for Free → See Integrated Suppliers →
  • Standard: EN 1995-1-1:2004 (Eurocode 5), draft prEN 1995:2023/2025, incl. Supplier ETA variant
Screw

Partners

Integrated Suppliers

Every product below has live certified data wired into the calculators above — pick it from inside the tool.

About Structural Screw · Eurocode 5

A Timber Engineering Platform Automating Your Screw Design

The Eurocode 5 Screw Calculator is the only engineering tool built for the transition to the Second Generation Eurocode. It calculates the Design Load-Carrying Capacity (Fv,Rd) and Axial Withdrawal Capacity (Fax,Rd) of fasteners while integrating the expanded scope of prEN 1995-1-1 regarding Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and brittle failure modes.

The engineer's guide

Structural Screw · Eurocode 5

Key Features

  • Current & Future Code Support: Fully compliant with EN 1995-1-1:2004 with options to enable prEN 1995:2025 draft provisions.
  • Expanded Mass Timber Scope: Native design equations for CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) connections, removing the need for separate product approvals.
  • Advanced Brittle Failure Analysis: rigorous checks for Block Shear, Plug Shear, and Row Shear as emphasized in the new Eurocode drafts.
  • Automated Johansen Yield Theory: Instantly calculates Characteristic Capacity (Fv,Rk) for all failure modes including the Rope Effect.
  • Reinforcement Design: Specialized modules for using screws to reinforce timber perpendicular to grain (splitting protection).

Overview of Structural Screw Connections

Supported member materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Glulam (GLT), Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), Plywood, Steel plates for timber-to-steel connections.

Interactive Connection Model

3D visualization showing screw orientation, load directions, member geometry, fastener placement.

Primary and Secondary Member Definition

Member 1 (primary), Member 2 (secondary/connected). Properties: member material type, member dimensions, characteristic timber density (ρk), mean density (ρmean). Grain orientation relative to screw also definable.

Applied Forces

Fx (shear x-direction), Fy (shear y-direction), Fz (axial along screw axis). Combined shear force auto-calculated.

Supplier and Product Library

Define: screw supplier, screw family, specific screw type. Properties: diameter, thread configuration, strength properties, withdrawal resistance parameters.

Screw Type and Thread Configuration

Partially threaded, Fully threaded. Supports smart screw length selection.

Supported Design Methods

  1. EN 1995-1-1:2004 (Eurocode 5) — standard approach for dowel-type fastener connections.
  2. prEN 1995:2023 — upcoming Eurocode 5 revision, updated design provisions and calculation models.
  3. EN 1995-1-1:2004 (Supplier ETA) — manufacturer-specific European Technical Assessment values for proprietary fasteners.

Screw Arrangement and Spacing

Manual Arrangement: screw spacing, edge distances, number of screws along different directions.

Minimum Distance and Spacing Rules: auto-apply Eurocode minimum spacing — spacing parallel/perpendicular to grain, edge distances, end distances, fastener positioning relative to member geometry.

Connection Capacity Checks

Geometry Check; Shear Capacity (per Eurocode dowel-type fastener models); Axial Capacity (withdrawal resistance and fastener properties); Combined Actions; Slip Modulus (stiffness under load).

Frequently asked questions

Structural Screw · Eurocode 5

Can I use this for official calculations today?
Yes. The default setting is strict EN 1995-1-1:2004 + A2:2014. The prEN 1995 features are clearly marked as "Draft/Future" provisions, allowing you to use them for comparative analysis or internal verification of Mass Timber elements not fully covered by the old code.
How does the calculator handle CLT differently with prEN 1995?
The prEN draft introduces specific embedment strength (fh,k) equations for CLT that account for the gaps and orthogonal layers. Using the prEN toggle ensures your screw values are derived from a standardized consensus rather than varying supplier interpretations.
Does this support reinforcing screws?
Yes. A major focus of the Second Generation Eurocode is reinforcement. You can calculate the capacity of fully threaded screws used specifically to prevent splitting (tension perpendicular to grain) in notched beams or around hole penetrations.

What’s News

Dive into our newest releases, articles, and tutorials designed to help you succeed.

×
VOOR INGENIEURSBegin nu met ontwerpen

Gratis, browsergebaseerd, geen download. Ontwerp elke gecertificeerde verbinding in uw echte materialen in seconden.

Start gratis met ontwerpen →
VOOR LEVERANCIERSWord partner

Breng uw producten onder de aandacht van elke ingenieur die op het platform specificeert – op het moment van ontwerp.

Laat uw producten specificeren →
Close Menu