Scaling shift in multicracked fiber bundles.

Bundles of fibers, wires, or filaments are ubiquitous structures in both natural and artificial materials. We investigate the bundle degradation induced by an external damaging action through a theoretical model describing an assembly of parallel fibers, progressively damaged by a random population of cracks. Fibers in our model interact by means of a lateral linear coupling, thus retaining structural integrity even after substantial damage. Monte Carlo simulations of the Young’s modulus degradation for increasing crack density demonstrate a remarkable scaling shift between an exponential and a power-law regime. Analytical solutions of the model confirm this behavior, and provide a thorough understanding of the underlying physics.