As a part of this thesis we performed the bending and embedment test on beech dowels. The tests were carried out in accordance with relevant standards and other sources that dealt with similar experiments. Dowels made by turning and purchased dowels were used in both tests. In addition, spruce and beech wood were used to manufacture the timber members for the embedment strength tests. The results of the experiments enabled us to determine parameters such as the maximum bending moment, bending strength, modulus of elasticity for bending, embedment strength and foundation modulus. Some of those parameters are particularly important because of their use in the determination of shear strenght of wooden dowels. Furthermore, they provide insight into the behaviour of wooden dowels in timber structures. The test results were statistically analysed to assess the differences between the various groups of specimens. We were particularly interested in differences in results manufactured and commercially purchased dowels, as well as in the effect of different timber species in the embedment strength tests. In addition, we examined how the density of the base material and the dowel affects the mentioned parameters.
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