Scaling properties of three-dimensional random fibre networks

Shriyan

2017

Phys. Rev. E

Filamentous semiflexible networks define the mechanical and physical properties of many materials such as cytoskeleton. In the absence of a distinct unit-cell, Mikado fiber network model is the most commonly used algorithm for representing the microstructure of these networks in numerical models. Nevertheless, certain types of filamentous structures such as collagenous tissues, at early stages of their development, are assembled by growth of individual fibers from random nucleation sites. In this work, we develop a computational model to investigate the mechanical response of such networks by characterizing their nonaffine behavior. We show that that the deformation of these networks is nonaffine at all length scales. Furthermore, similar to Mikado networks, the degree of nonaffinity in these structures decreases with increasing the probing length scale, the network fiber density, and/or the flexibility of constituting filaments. Nevertheless, despite the lower coordination number of these networks, their deformation field is more affine than that of the Mikado networks with the same fiber density and fiber mechanical properties.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Topology effects on nonaffine behavior of semiflexible fiber networks

Shriyan

2017

Phys. Rev. E

“…As described previously, the present model shows initial strain-softening followed by a significant increase in K of several orders of magnitude. The differential modulus scales as power-law with the stress K ~ σ ν⩾1 over the strain hardening-phase, a typical behavior of semiflexible fiber networks [47,[52][53][54]. The SRG model also shows an almost initial linear response followed by a strain-hardening region, but the scaling has a smaller exponent ν ~ 1 compared to ν ~ 1.5 of the present model.…”

Section: Homogenized Response To Shear Deformationmentioning

confidence: 48%

A computational study of the behavior of colloidal gel networks at low volume fraction

J. Phys.: Condens. Matter

2020

Self Cite

Colloidal gel networks appear in different scientific and industrial applications because of their unique properties. Molecular dynamics simulations could reveal the relation between molecular level and macroscopic properties of these systems. Nevertheless, the predictions of numerical simulations might depend on the specific form and parameters of interaction potentials. In this paper, a new effective interaction potential is used for characterizing the mechanical behavior of low volume fraction colloidal gels under large shear deformation. The findings are compared with those obtained from other available forms of interaction potentials in order to determine gel characteristics that are interaction potential independent. Furthermore, the macroscopic stress-strain behavior is discussed in terms of the behavior of different terms of the proposed interaction potential. The correlation between the stretch of interparticle bonds and their alignment in the direction of the maximum principal stress is also computed in order to provide microscopic explanations for the initial strain softening behavior. It is concluded that, in addition to topology, local mechanical interactions between colloidal particles are important in defining the mechanical response of soft gels.

“…The shift to the strain-hardening phase occurs earlier with increasing volume fraction. During the strain-hardening phase, the differential modulus scales as a power-law with the stress K ∼ σ ν 1 ; a typical feature of structures with nonaffine behavior [24,[27][28][29]. Interestingly, the scaling seems to depend only on the volume fraction and is similar for all models.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

Colloidal particle gel models using many-body potential interactions

Coulibaly

2020

Phys. Rev. E

Self Cite

Many-body effective interactions are commonly used in molecular dynamics simulation study of gel networks formed by colloidal particles. Here, we report a new interaction potential that can be used to investigate the mechanical response of colloidal gel networks under shear deformation. We then investigate the dependence of the numerical simulation results on the form of mathematical expression used to express the interparticle interactions. This work reveals new insight into particle gel models by discussing the physical origins of their mechanical response.