Application of network robustness in the analysis of a mesoscopic random hydrogel polymer network using MATLAB

Abstract

In this study, the application of network robustness to analyse the fracture of a mesoscopic random polymer network model of a hydrogel is suggested. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of using the network robustness method to gain insights into the fracture of a hydrogel. The use of a mesoscopic network mechanics method to study large deformations in elastomers has explored and revealed the reasons behind hydrogel fracture and large crack propagations, which this study intends to work upon and analyse using the network robustness method. Hence, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of applying network robustness to analyse fracture of a mesoscopic random polymer network. The study begins with an introduction to hydrogels, the methods used to study fracture of hydrogels, and simulations and modelling. This is followed by literature review on hydrogel fracture, simulation methods and analysis. The study was done purely on MATLAB where the hydrogel polymer network is generated with a pre-crack, after which it is then subjected to stretching until fracture occurs. Once the fracture has occurred, analysis is then done with the use of network robustness methods, as well as network entropy. At the time of writing, there was no known publication regarding the use of network robustness methods to analyse fracture in a simulation of a polymer network. This study will hopefully contribute to the effort to study hydrogels by providing a new method to study hydrogels under tensile loading. Additionally, the MATLAB code used in this study may present an opportunity to adopt this method into other software such as ABAQUS.