TY  - CHAP
A1  - Goh, Kheng Lim
A1  - Topçu, Murat
A1  - Madabhushi, Gopal S. P.
A1  - Staat, Manfred
ED  - Maia, Fatima Raquel Azevedo
ED  - Miguel Oliveira, J.
ED  - Reis, Rui L.
T1  - Collagen fibril reinforcement in connective tissue extracellular matrices
T2  - Handbook of the extracellular matrix
N2  - The connective tissues such as tendons contain an extracellular matrix (ECM) comprising collagen fibrils scattered within the ground substance. These fibrils are instrumental in lending mechanical stability to tissues. Unfortunately, our understanding of how collagen fibrils reinforce the ECM remains limited, with no direct experimental evidence substantiating current theories. Earlier theoretical studies on collagen fibril reinforcement in the ECM have relied predominantly on the assumption of uniform cylindrical fibers, which is inadequate for modelling collagen fibrils, which possessed tapered ends. Recently, Topçu and colleagues published a paper in the International Journal of Solids and Structures, presenting a generalized shear-lag theory for the transfer of elastic stress between the matrix and fibers with tapered ends. This paper is a positive step towards comprehending the mechanics of the ECM and makes a valuable contribution to formulating a complete theory of collagen fibril reinforcement in the ECM.
KW  - Connective tissues
KW  - Extracellular matrix (ECM)
KW  - Collagen fibrils
KW  - Mechanical stability
KW  - Tapered ends
Y1  - 2023
SN  - 978-3-030-92090-6 (Print)
SN  - 978-3-030-92090-6 (Online)
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92090-6_6-1
SP  - 1
EP  - 20
PB  - Springer Nature
CY  - Cham
ER  -