On the mechanics of fishscale structures

Biological and manmade structures often share the same specifications and design constraints: structural support, lightweight or protection against specific threats. In this context, the structure of fishscales, consisting of small rigid plates growing out of the skin of a majority of fish species, are characterized by a large variety of shape, size and properties in order to achieve particular functions. The present study introduces a basic two-dimensional micromechanical model that permits to establish a correlation between the flexural response of a scaled skin and the nature of its underlying structure, including both geometric and material aspects. The model is used to predict trends in the structure’s response and illustrates the fact that the scale design, arrangement and properties can be tailored to achieve a wide spectrum of response. In particular, fishscale structure possesses an inherent strain-stiffening response that can be suppressed or magnified by certain structural features. This particularity, shared by most biological materials, ensures that the structure provides both a structural and protective support for the animal.