This Master's thesis focuses on the determination of the load spectrum on the blade when shearing a fibrous structure. First, the theoretical background of the discrete element method is studied. Understanding this method forms the basis for the correct implementation of the simulations. Second, the fibrous structure is created in the simulation environment by bonding the discrete elements, followed by modelling the blade. To determine the load spectrum, the properties of the fibrous structure and the blade, as well as the appropriate initial and boundary conditions, must be selected. The results of the simulations are then processed and displayed accordingly. This is followed by a commentary on the results and the reasons for the observed forces on the blade. The forces on the blade in the simulation take values between 100 N and 900 N. The main reason for computed values of the forces on the blade is the short duration of the impact due to the high speed of the blade. In order to confirm the accuracy of the simulation, a grass blade shearing experiment was conducted and the experimental results were compared with the simulation results.
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