Several authors have empirically shown that, in aerogels, a power law
exists between the mechanical moduli and the bulk density. An exponent
value can be determined from mercury porosimetry curves. The shrinkag
e of aerogels under mercury pressure follows a buckling mechanism whic
h links the pore size to the exerted pressure. The present study relat
es the exponent to the pore volume distribution which can be described
by a hierarchical model valid in a large range of pore size, so a phy
sical meaning is given to the exponent.