Effect of Network Architecture on the Mechanical Behavior of Random Fiber Networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Islam ◽  
R. C. Picu

Fiber-based materials are prevalent around us. While microscopically these systems resemble a discrete assembly of randomly interconnected fibers, the network architecture varies from one system to another. To identify the role of the network architecture, we study here cellular and fibrous random networks in tension and compression, and in the context of large strain elasticity. We observe that, compared to cellular networks of same global parameter set, fibrous networks exhibit in tension reduced strain stiffening, reduced fiber alignment, and reduced Poisson's contraction in uniaxial tension. These effects are due to the larger number of kinematic constraints in the form of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case. The dependence of the small strain modulus on network density is cubic in the fibrous case and quadratic in the cellular case. This difference persists when the number of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case is rendered equal to that of the cellular case, which indicates that the different scaling is due to the higher structural disorder of the fibrous networks. The behavior of the two network types in compression is similar, although softening induced by fiber buckling and strain localization is less pronounced in the fibrous case. The contribution of transient interfiber contacts is weak in tension and important in compression.

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Deogekar ◽  
Z. Yan ◽  
R. C. Picu

In this work, we study the effect of network architecture on the nonlinear elastic behavior and strength of athermal random fiber networks of cellular type. We introduce a topology modification of Poisson–Voronoi (PV) networks with convex cells, leading to networks with stochastic nonconvex cells. Geometric measures are developed to characterize this new class of nonconvex Voronoi (NCV) networks. These are softer than the reference PV networks at the same nominal network parameters such as density, cross-link density, fiber diameter, and connectivity number. Their response is linear elastic over a broad range of strains, unlike PV networks that exhibit a gradual increase of the tangent stiffness starting from small strains. NCV networks exhibit much smaller Poisson contraction than any network of same nominal parameters. Interestingly, the strength of NCV networks increases continuously with an increasing degree of nonconvexity of the cells. These exceptional properties render this class of networks of interest in a variety of applications, such as tissue scaffolds, nonwovens, and protective clothing.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopinath Subramanian ◽  
R. Catalin Picu

AbstractThe mechanics of systems of non-cross-linked fiber networks is studied in this work using a computational model inspired from the bead-spring models of polymeric melts. The fibers have random orientation and distribution in space, interact via stiff repulsive potentials and are characterized by their axial and bending stiffness. Fiber-fiber Coulombian friction is considered. The system is subjected to isostatic compression (strain control) and various statistical measures are evaluated. As the system is compacted, a critical density is reached at which stiffness develops. At this stage there is in average one fiber-fiber contact per fiber and the fiber free segment length has a uniform probability distribution function. Upon further compaction, the number of contacts per fiber increases and the segment length distribution becomes exponential. The respective cross-over densities depend on the fiber length and the friction coefficient. Significant hysteresis is observed upon loading-unloading in the total energy and the number of contacts per fiber. It is also observed that the distribution of contact energies in the range of densities where the system forms a topological network is a power law.


1995 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia J. Quigley ◽  
Joey Mead ◽  
Arthur R. Johnson

Abstract A method for determining material constants in large strain viscoelastic materials was demonstrated for a highly saturated nitrile rubber. Material constant selection was based on viscoelastic stress relaxation data at small and large strains, under both tension and compression, and was constrained to assure Drucker stability. Assuming that the viscoelastic strain energy function was both time and strain separable, a Prony series was constructed for the time dependent material constants. For comparison, four different Prony series were developed from collocation methods and a nonlinear regression analysis, each separately based on either large or small tensile strain relaxation data. In addition, a final Prony series was constructed from dynamic data. These Prony series were included in this comparison to judge their ability to predict both large and small strain material behavior. Finite element analyses of large and small step-strain relaxation tests and a single cycle hysteresis loop at large deformations were performed for each set of Prony series. The results were then compared to experimental behavior. The Prony series based on the constrained method accurately predicted step-strain relaxation behavior at all strain levels, for both tension and compression. The finite element results for the other Prony series show that large strain material behavior was best predicted by those Prony series based on large strain material behavior. Similar findings were found for small strain material behavior. The constrained Prony series and the two large strain based Prony series best modeled the experimental hysteresis loop.


1969 ◽  
Vol 244 (21) ◽  
pp. 5785-5789
Author(s):  
W.S. Chou ◽  
J.E. Savage ◽  
B.L. O'Dell
Keyword(s):  

2012 ◽  
Vol 529 ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
Jie Yao ◽  
Yong Hong Zhu

Recently, our research team has been considering to applying shape memory alloys (SMA) constitutive model to analyze the large and small deformation about the SMA materials because of the thermo-dynamics and phase transformation driving force. Accordingly, our team use simulations method to illustrate the characteristics of the model in large strain deformation and small strain deformation when different loading, uniaxial tension, and shear conditions involve in the situations. Furthermore, the simulation result unveils that the difference is nuance concerning the two method based on the uniaxial tension case, while the large deformation and the small deformation results have huge difference based on shear deformation case. This research gives the way to the further research about the constitutive model of SMA, especially in the multitiaxial non-proportional loading aspects.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1841-1847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Liu ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
Ken Chen

AbstractMechanical properties are vital for living cells, and various models have been developed to study the mechanical behavior of cells. However, there is debate regarding whether a cell behaves more similarly to a “cortical shell – liquid core” structure (membrane-like) or a homogeneous solid (cytoskeleton-like) when experiencing stress by mechanical forces. Unlike most experimental methods, which concern the small-strain deformation of a cell, we focused on the mechanical behavior of a cell undergoing small to large strain by conducting microinjection experiments on zebrafish embryo cells. The power law with order of 1.5 between the injection force and the injection distance indicates that the cell behaves as a homogenous solid at small-strain deformation. The linear relation between the rupture force and the microinjector radius suggests that the embryo behaves as membrane-like when subjected to large-strain deformation. We also discuss the possible reasons causing the debate by analyzing the mechanical properties of F-actin filaments.


2001 ◽  
Vol 226-230 ◽  
pp. 1206-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Bertotti ◽  
V Basso ◽  
C Beatrice ◽  
M LoBue ◽  
A Magni ◽  
...  

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Rothfuss ◽  
Markus Grompe

ABSTRACT The detailed mechanisms of DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair and the involvement of the Fanconi anemia (FA)/BRCA pathway in this process are not known. Present models suggest that recognition and repair of ICL in human cells occur primarily during the S phase. Here we provide evidence for a refined model in which ICLs are recognized and are rapidly incised by ERCC1/XPF independent of DNA replication. However, the incised ICLs are then processed further and DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) form exclusively in the S phase. FA cells are fully proficient in the sensing and incision of ICL as well as in the subsequent formation of DSB, suggesting a role of the FA/BRCA pathway downstream in ICL repair. In fact, activation of FANCD2 occurs slowly after ICL treatment and correlates with the appearance of DSB in the S phase. In contrast, activation is rapid after ionizing radiation, indicating that the FA/BRCA pathway is specifically activated upon DSB formation. Furthermore, the formation of FANCD2 foci is restricted to a subpopulation of cells, which can be labeled by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. We therefore conclude that the FA/BRCA pathway, while being dispensable for the early events in ICL repair, is activated in S-phase cells after DSB have formed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lentini ◽  
P. Mattioli ◽  
B. Provenzano ◽  
A. Abbruzzese ◽  
M. Caraglia ◽  
...  

Protein-bound γ-glutamylpolyamines have highlighted a new pathway in polyamine metabolism. Human foreskin keratinocytes offer a suitable model for this study. Indeed, they develop polymerized envelopes, as they differentiate, rich in ϵ-(γ-glutamyl)lysine and N1,N8-bis(γ-glutamyl)spermidine cross-links. We have found that the selective oxidation of N1-(γ-glutamyl)spermidine and N-(γ-glutamyl)spermine by FAD-dependent polyamine oxidase (PAO) may be one of the cellular mechanisms regulating the preferential formation of a sterically defined bis(γ-glutamyl)spermidine cross-link. The significance of this finding is unknown, but it suggests that the target of this PAO-modulation is to achieve the biochemical prerequisite for production of a normal epidermal stratum corneum.


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