Alternative explanation of stiffening in cross-linked semiflexible networks.
Strain stiffening of filamentous protein networks is explored by means of a finite strain analysis of a two-dimensional network model of cross-linked semiflexible filaments. The results show that stiffening is caused by nonaffine network rearrangements that govern a transition from a bending-dominated response at small strains to a stretching-dominated response at large strains. Filament undulations, which are key in the existing explanation of stiffening, merely postpone the transition.
Onck
P R
PR
Micromechanics of Materials, Materials Science Centre, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Koeman
T
T
van Dillen
T
T
van der Giessen
E
E
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical
D001704:Biopolymers