On the mechanics of fluid‐like growth in solid materials

Living materials can change in mass and volume depending on the availability of nutrients and on its mechanical environment. During growth phenomena, even with mechanical properties as solids, some living materials present fluid‐like characteristics. Bodies with such behaviour can be deformed as elastic bodies under the application of loads and constrains. However, their growth can be described as the flow of the new material contribution as these loads and constrains do not let the body grow in an isotropic way. (© 2013 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)