Mechanical response of collagen networks to nonuniform microscale loads

with n ≈ 1. By contrast, we find linear homogeneous materials have n ≈ 2, in agreement with classical linear elastic theory. Our experimental data supports the notion that the long range displacements result from buckling of fibers in compression and local straightening of fibers in tension, in agreement with previous studies. Surprisingly, global network anisotropy appears to have only a modest effect on the displacement propagation. These insights into the microscale mechanics demonstrate that the decay power n provides a useful metric to quantify the mechanics of fibrous materials. We therefore suggest it is a means to compare new theories with experimental data.