Design method for bonding ultra-high-strength steel materials in agricultural machinery construction

In agricultural machinery constructions made of thick metal sheets (approx. 3-10 mm), adhesive bonding technology has so far only been used to a limited extent, even though it is already an established joining method in other areas of application and offers many advantages over other joining methods because up to now there has been a lack of regulations for the design of such joints. An essential criterion in designing joints in agricultural machinery construction is fatigue strength because the long service life of the products is decisive. Bonded joints exhibit excellent behaviour under cyclic loading. The increasing demands for resource efficiency and lightweight construction are leading to a rethink in agricultural machinery and plant construction because this can be implemented by using higher-strength steel materials in combination with adhesive bonding technology. The aim is to develop a methodology for designing bonded joints in constructions with high-strength steel materials based on the FKM guideline. The operationally relevant loads of agricultural engineering are analysed and examined on technological and component-like test specimens. The mechanical, thermal, and medial influencing factors and the influence of the bonded joint geometry and the operating load collectives are investigated. The findings are summarised in an SME-relevant procedure for determining reduction factors, making it possible to calculate the component strength statically and dynamically.