SIMULATION OF FRACTURE IN A CELLULOSE FIBER NETWORK

A network model has been formulated and used for computer simulations of the geometry and mechanical behaviour of cellulose fibre networks. The focus is on the properties needed to proceed with a continuum anal ysis of fracture, that is stiffness, strength and fracture energy. It is found that the ductility of inter-fibre bonds has a strong effect o n the fracture properties. Localization of the fracture zone is also s tudies. The dependence of elastic stiffness on various micro-level par ameters is simulated, and examples are given of Young's modulus depend ence on fibre curl and fibre orientation distribution.