We discuss elements of a theory for the description of the mechanical behavior of thin sheets and 3-D continua composed of perfectly flexible elastic fibers. In this model, the properties of the continuum can be inferred from those of each fiber family. The only constitutive input required by the theory is the one-dimensional elastic-plastic response of materials under simple tension. Sufficient conditions are given for the existence of an exact dual extremum principle and used to prove uniqueness of solution. Applications of this model to modeling and testing nanofiber sheets are discussed as well their applications to bio-mimetic materials, especially tissue scaffolds.
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