Lecturer:
Course Type:
PhD Course
Academic Year:
2025-2026
Period:
April - June
Duration:
30 h
Description:
Course description
This course presents an overview of how to model biological growth in solid materials. A mathematical theory to describe accretion and growth in elastic solids will be developed. In particular, we will address reduced-dimensional theories for slender bodies (such as rods, filaments, and plates). Moreover, we will study growth in multiphase materials (e.g. poroelastic media), using both asymptotic approaches and phenomenological descriptions. The course is designed to be accessible to Ph.D. students with a background in applied mathematics, mechanics, or related fields. No prior course in solid mechanics is required.
Course organization
The organization of the course is flexible and can be adapted to the interests and background of the students. Indicative topics include:
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Introduction and basic concepts
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Kinematics of growth in elastic solids
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Balance laws, thermodynamics, and growth laws
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Reduced-dimensional theories for growing slender bodies
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Growth in multiphase and poroelastic materials
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Numerical methods and case studies
Bibliography
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A. Goriely, The Mathematics and Mechanics of Biological Growth, Springer, 2017.
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M. Epstein, The Elements of Continuum Biomechanics, Wiley, 2012.
Lesson in the month of April will be teached in room A-136, in May and June in A-133.
Research Group: