Open AccessRandom Fiber Networks With Superior Properties Through Network Topology Control
Author(s) -
S. Deogekar,
Yan Zhou,
Catalin R. Picu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied mechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1528-9036
pISSN - 0021-8936
DOI - 10.1115/1.4043828
Subject(s) - topology (electrical circuits) , network topology , tangent , poisson distribution , fiber , regular polygon , stiffness , mathematics , nonlinear system , computer science , materials science , geometry , physics , composite material , computer network , combinatorics , statistics , quantum mechanics
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.