TY  - JOUR
A1  - Topçu, Murat
A1  - Madabhushi, Gopal S.P.
A1  - Staat, Manfred
T1  - A generalized shear-lag theory for elastic stress transfer between matrix and fibres having a variable radius
JF  - International Journal of Solids and Structures
N2  - A generalized shear-lag theory for fibres with variable radius is developed to analyse elastic fibre/matrix stress transfer. The theory accounts for the reinforcement of biological composites, such as soft tissue and bone tissue, as well as for the reinforcement of technical composite materials, such as fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP). The original shear-lag theory proposed by Cox in 1952 is generalized for fibres with variable radius and with symmetric and asymmetric ends. Analytical solutions are derived for the distribution of axial and interfacial shear stress in cylindrical and elliptical fibres, as well as conical and paraboloidal fibres with asymmetric ends. Additionally, the distribution of axial and interfacial shear stress for conical and paraboloidal fibres with symmetric ends are numerically predicted. The results are compared with solutions from axisymmetric finite element models. A parameter study is performed, to investigate the suitability of alternative fibre geometries for use in FRP.
KW  - Natural fibres
KW  - Polymer-matrix composites
KW  - Biocomposites
KW  - Stress concentrations
KW  - Finite element analysis
Y1  - 2022
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2022.111464
SN  - 0020-7683
VL  - 239–240
IS  - Art. No. 111464
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - New York, NY
ER  - 
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  -