Figure 2.

Finite-element model network details. (a) Stress–strain curves for bilinear model. Stress σ is normalized by Young's modulus E. Dashed black: linear without microbuckling (ρ = 1); solid blue: bilinear with microbuckling (ρ = 0.1). (b) Normalized stress–strain curves for the strain-stiffening model, which exhibits WLC-like behaviour in tension. For this model ρ is defined as the slope upon approaching the origin from the left divided by the slope upon approaching the origin from the right. A continuous slope at the origin (ρ = 1) was used to simulate non-buckling elements (dashed black line) and a discontinuous slope (ρ = 0.1) was used to simulate microbuckling elements (solid red line). (c) Network array. (d) Randomized network, C = 8. (e) Network with reduced connectivity, C = 3.