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Strain-stiffening critical exponents of fiber networks under uniaxial deformation

Atharva Pandit1, Fred C. MacKintosh2,3,4,5, and Abhinav Sharma1,6,*

  • *Contact author: abhinav.sharma@uni-a.de
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Phys. Rev. E 114, 025413 – Published 18 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/wwmz-yzvj

Abstract

Disordered fiber networks exhibit a floppy-to-rigid mechanical phase transition as a function of connectivity. Subisostatically connected networks can undergo this transition via straining. Critical exponents governing this transition have been estimated theoretically and by numerical simulations of various types of networks. In this study, we present improved results, achieved through a combination of refined numerical simulations, larger system sizes, and incorporation of theoretical predictions for better postsimulation analysis. We also report the evolution of the critical strain and critical exponents as the network is sheared while being subjected to non-volume-preserving uniaxial deformations.

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Phys. Rev. E 114, 025413– Published 18 August, 2026
  • Received 31 March 2026
  • Accepted 30 July 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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