This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of composite beams made of two balks connected by TGk dowel plates under short-term loading. Composite wooden beams with cross-sections and TGk dowel plate connections are a relatively new solution for building structures and are increasingly used in the construction industry, as they provide high strength and rigidity at a relatively low cost compared to glued beams. The purpose of the study is to confirm the operational strength and rigidity of composite wooden beams on TGk dowel plates, as well as to analyze the stress-strain state of the beams depending on the type of force action and the method of arranging shear ties. To achieve this goal, a target experiment was planned and carried out to test beams made of two bars for transverse load. Beams of different length, three types of transverse load, with different arrangements of shear ties were tested. The beams were destructed under short-term loading in a rather wide range of applied forces, the safety factor fluctuated within 2.13...3.95. After testing the beams using the previously developed method, calculations were performed with linear and nonlinear diagrams of joint deformation. The difference between the experimental and theoretical values of deflections is within 20 %, which quite convincingly confirms the validity of the theoretical calculations.