Abstract: A fuel transport cask is a critical piece of equipment utilized for transporting radioactive substances. Its safety performance is directly linked to public safety and environmental protection. The spent fuel transport casks play a vital role in effectively preventing the leakage of radioactive substances and ensuring the safety of the transport process. The impact limiter in the spent fuel transport cask is a crucial component that effectively reduces vibration and shock during the transport process. It also protects the radioactive materials in the container from high acceleration loads. Researchers commonly use wood as a filler material for impact limiters to improve the damping effect of spent fuel transport casks. Wood, being a natural material, possesses good shock absorption properties. However, due to the dispersion of its mechanical properties and size effects, it requires thorough study and analysis. Therefore, in this study a small-scale compression test was initially conducted, and the Gaussian stress distribution of the yield platform of paulownia wood was obtained through the experiment to lay the foundation for subsequent research. Secondly, a full-scale compression test on wood components was conducted, and a test component model was established using LS-DYNA finite element analysis software. Through comparing and analyzing the test results, the simulation results were obtained. The results indicate that in the elastic and plastic stages, the simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data. It is observed that the compression-displacement results of the full-size can be approximated by the yield platform data of the small size with a 75% confidence interval. Finally, the design of the wooden impact limiter was analyzed, and a 9 m free drop simulation of the transport cask was conducted. Through simulation analysis, it is found that the design of the impact limiter structure is reasonable because it can effectively reduce the impact of the free drop. A drop test of the prototype from a height of 9 m above its centre of gravity was conducted. The test results are consistent with the simulation, further confirming the reasonableness and accuracy of the selected Constitutive model. Applying Gaussian distribution to measure the stress data of wood yield platform can improve the reliability of impact limiter, which can replace full-scale component testing and reduce research and development costs. This is beneficial for reducing research and development costs and enhancing the safety performance of transport casks. The research results are highly significant for enhancing the safety of radioactive materials during transportation.