Theory of elastic solids reinforced with fibers resistant to extension, flexure and twist

A model of non-linearly elastic solids reinforced by continuously distributed embedded fibers is formulated in which elastic resistance of the fibers to extension, bending and twist is taken into account explicitly. This generalizes the conventional theory in which the solid is modeled as a transversely isotropic simple material.

► Resistance to flexure and twist are modeled in elastic fiber-reinforced materials.
► Non-linear Cosserat elasticity theory is the natural setting for such materials.
► Constraints on the deformation of the embedded fibers and the continuum are used.