This invention relates to an adhesive joint for joining components of transport craft, in particular of aircraft, wherein the adhesive joint is formed by an adhesive means. According to the invention, the adhesive means has several functional elements with actuatory and/or sensory properties, in particular for enabling a minimum mechanical load capacity of the adhesive joint and/or detecting a mechanical loading state in the adhesive joint. Due to the presence of functional elements integrated in the adhesive joint direct and simple testing of the mechanical load capacity of the adhesive joint is possible without costly external test structures, e.g. in the form of measuring and testing systems for conducting tensile load tests or the like. Moreover, mechanical stress states in the adhesive joint can be detected. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for determining a minimum mechanical load capacity and/or mechanical strength of an adhesive joint.