Abstract
This paper presents a nonlinear numerical modelling strategy for steel‐timber shear connections, calibrated against experimental push‐out tests conducted at multiple loading rates. The numerical simulations reproduce the experimentally observed load‐deformation response of eighteen specimens with various connector sizes, capturing closely the nonlinear connection behaviour and strain‐rate effects. Comparisons between simulations and experiments show good predictive accuracy, with ultimate strength predicted with a mean experimental‐to‐numerical ratio of approximately 0.98 and a low coefficient of variation. Initial stiffness is reproduced with a mean experimental‐to‐numerical ratio of about 0.88, albeit with higher variability, reflecting the sensitivity of stiffness to interface and rate‐dependent effects. An additional parametric study was carried out to evaluate the influence of timber and steel grade on the shear connection response. The validated models provide a basis for extensive parametric investigations for development of closed‐form constitutive models.