Ellipticity of gradient poroelasticity

We discuss the ellipticity properties of an enhanced model of poroelastic continua called dilatational strain gradient elasticity. Within the theory there exists a deformation energy density given as a function of strains and gradient of dilatation. We show that the equilibrium equations are elliptic in the sense of Douglis-Nirenberg. These conditions are more general than the ordinary and strong ellipticity but keep almost all necessary properties of equilibrium equations. In particular, the loss of the ellipticity could be considered as a criterion of a strain localization or material instability.