Owing to their exquisite geometric structures and excellent mechanical properties, spider orb webs possess an outstanding ability to capture flying prey. In this work, we report a mechanism that enhances the energy absorption ability of spider webs. Through systematic measurements of the mechanical properties of both spiral and radial silks, we find that the spiral silks feature a distinct gradient variation in the diameter and tensile stiffness along the radial direction of the web, while the radial silks have a much higher but approximately uniform stiffness. A mechanical model is proposed to reveal the functional gradient effects on the energy absorption of the web. The results show that due to the gradient variation in the mechanical properties of spiral silks, the web exhibits a nearly uniform energy absorption ability regardless of the position where a flying prey impacts the web. This optimal structural feature of the web greatly enhances its efficiency and robustness in prey capture. This work not only helps understand the optimal mechanisms of spider webs but also provides clues for designing anti-impact structures.
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Functional gradient effects on the energy absorption of spider orb webs
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3 September 2018
Research Article|
September 04 2018
Functional gradient effects on the energy absorption of spider orb webs
Yang Guo;
Yang Guo
1
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University
, Beijing 100084, China
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Zheng Chang;
Zheng Chang
2
College of Science, China Agricultural University
, Beijing 100083, China
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Bo Li
;
Bo Li
1
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University
, Beijing 100084, China
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Zi-Long Zhao;
Zi-Long Zhao
3
Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials, School of Engineering, RMIT University
, Melbourne 3001, Australia
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Hong-Ping Zhao;
Hong-Ping Zhao
a)
1
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University
, Beijing 100084, China
a)Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: zhaohp@tsinghua.edu.cn; fengxq@tsinghua.edu.cn; and huajian_gao@brown.edu
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Xi-Qiao Feng
;
Xi-Qiao Feng
a)
1
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University
, Beijing 100084, China
a)Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: zhaohp@tsinghua.edu.cn; fengxq@tsinghua.edu.cn; and huajian_gao@brown.edu
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Huajian Gao
Huajian Gao
a)
4
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence
, Rhode Island 02912, USA
a)Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: zhaohp@tsinghua.edu.cn; fengxq@tsinghua.edu.cn; and huajian_gao@brown.edu
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a)Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: zhaohp@tsinghua.edu.cn; fengxq@tsinghua.edu.cn; and huajian_gao@brown.edu
Appl. Phys. Lett. 113, 103701 (2018)
Article history
Received:
May 10 2018
Accepted:
July 16 2018
Citation
Yang Guo, Zheng Chang, Bo Li, Zi-Long Zhao, Hong-Ping Zhao, Xi-Qiao Feng, Huajian Gao; Functional gradient effects on the energy absorption of spider orb webs. Appl. Phys. Lett. 3 September 2018; 113 (10): 103701. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5039710
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