Analysis of elasmoid fish imbricated layered scale-tissue systems and their bio-inspired analogues at finite strains and bending

We examine deformation mechanisms and performance of multilayered structures inspired by imbricated scale-tissue systems of elasmoid fish. Exact analytical solutions are derived for these soft composite structures undergoing finite deformation in compressive and bending loading conditions. The layered structure leads to dramatic coupled shear-compressive deformations which afford distinct and advantageous behaviours in compression and bending. The existence of super-flexible behaviours is found for particular structural configurations. The influence of the geometrical parameters on the composite performance is rigorously analysed.