Three kinds of 290 embedment perpendicular to wood grain specimens were designed， and the effects of the test methods， determination methods， loaded edge distance， specimen size and bolt diameter on the embedment strength were analyzed. The test results were compared with the calculation results by relevant technical specifications. The results show that the test methods and calculation methods for the measurement of embedment strength perpendicalar to wood grain in the current specifications have certain limitations. Based on the embedment strength obtained from the standard test method proposed in this paper， the average ratio between calculated results and the test results of yield bearing capacity of bolted connections with steel plates of timber simply supported beams loaded perpendicular to grain is 0.92.