Stress-stabilized sub-isostatic fiber networks in a rope-like limit

Abstract

The mechanics of disordered fibrous networks such as those that make up the extracellular matrix are strongly dependent on the local connectivity or coordination number. For biopolymer networks this coordination number is typically between three and four. Such networks are sub-isostatic and linearly unstable to deformation with only central force interactions, but exhibit a mechanical phase transition between floppy and rigid states under strain. Introducing weak bending interactions stabilizes these networks and suppresses the critical signatures of this transition. We show that applying external stress can also stabilize sub-isostatic networks with only tensile central force interactions, i.e., a rope-like potential. Moreover, we find that the linear shear modulus shows a power law scaling with the external normal stress, with a non-mean-field exponent. For networks with finite bending rigidity, we find that the critical stain shifts to lower values under prestress.

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Cited by in corpus (10)

• A minimal-length approach unifies rigidity in under-constrained materials
• Finite size effects in critical fiber networks
• Shear-induced phase transition and critical exponents in 3D fiber networks
• Stiffening of under-constrained spring networks under isotropic strain
• Mechanics of fiber networks under a bulk strain
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• Building rigid networks with prestress and selective pruning
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• Criticality enhances the reinforcement of disordered networks by rigid inclusions
• Geometry-Driven Mechanical Memory in a Random Fibrous Matrix