  We consider the propagation of tension along specific filament of a
semiflexible filament network in response to the application of a point force
using a combination of numerical simulations and analytic theory. We find the
distribution of force within the network is highly heterogenous, with a small
number of fibers supporting a significant fraction of the applied load over
distances of multiple mesh sizes surrounding the point of force application. We
suggest that these structures may be thought of as tensile force chains, whose
structure we explore via simulation. We develop self-consistent calculations of
the point-force response function and introduce a transfer matrix approach to
explore the decay of tension (into bending) energy and the branching of tensile
force chains in the network.
