In response to the second question (which I interpret as asking for math models of spider webs as they appear in Nature): There exist several <A HREF="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_web#Types">distinct types</A> of spider webs. The most common type, the *orb web* of <A HREF="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb-weaver_spider">araneids</A>, has been modeled in <A HREF="http://www.phys.ocha.ac.jp/okumuralab/h16/inside/papers/AoyanagiPRL.pdf">Simple Model for the Mechanics of Spider Webs</A> (2010). A key property of the orb web model is that the web is free of stress concentrations even when a few spiral threads are broken. This is distinctly different from usual elastic materials in which a crack causes stress concentrations and weakens the material. The model highlights the mechanical adaptability of the web: spiders can increase the number of spiral threads to make a dense web (to catch small insects) or they can adjust the number of radial threads (to adapt to environmental conditions or reduce the cost of making the web) – in both cases without reducing the damage tolerance of the web. <IMG SRC="https://i.sstatic.net/WjDd6.png" WIDTH="300"/> <IMG SRC="https://i.sstatic.net/Msu0Z.png" WIDTH="250"/> Left panel: Construction of the orb web described in the cited paper. Right panel: Naturally occurring orb web (<A HREF="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_web#/media/File:Zygiella_web.jpg">Wikipedia</A>). [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/Msu0Z.jpg