Cooperative buckling and the nonlinear mechanics of nematic semiflexible networks

We review the nonlinear mechanics of cross-linked networks of stiff filaments with a quenched anisotropic (nematic) alignment. A combination of numerical simulations and analytic calculations shows that the broken rotational symmetry of the filament orientational distribution leads to a dramatic nonlinear softening of the network at very small strain (on the order of 0.1%). We argue that one can understand this softening in terms of Euler buckling, i.e. the loss of further load-carrying capacity in compression within the network. With increasing shear strain, this source of geometric nonlinearity appears as heterogeneous nucleation (originating in particularly fragile regions, which may be identified by a linear stability analysis) and subsequently grows into 'buckling scars' that eventually spread throughout the system. We develop a simple mean-field model for the nonlinear mechanics of such networks and suggest applications of these ideas to a variety of fiber networks and biopolymer systems. © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd & London Mathematical Society.