Finite element analysis is employed to investigate void growth embedded in elastic-plastic matrix material. Axisymmetric and plane stress conditions are considered. The simulation of void growth in a unit cell model is carried out over a wide range of triaxial tensile stressing or large plastic straining for various strain hardening materials to study mechanism of void growth in ductile materials. Triaxial tension and large plastic strain encircling around void are found to be of most importance for driving void growth. The straining mode of incremental loading which favors necessary strain concentration around void for its growth can be characterized by vanishing condition of a parameter called the third invariant of generalized strain rate. Under this condition, it accentuates internal strain concentration and strain energy stored/dissipated within material layer surrounding void. Experimental results are cited to justify effect of this loading parameter. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.