Both naturally-occurring and man-made materials are often
heterogeneous materials formed of various constituents with
different properties and behaviours. Studies are usually carried
out on volumes of materials that contain a large number of
heterogeneities. Describing these media by using appropriate
mathematical models to describe each constituent turns out to be an
intractable problem. Instead they are generally investigated by
using an equivalent macroscopic description - relative to the
microscopic heterogeneity scale - which describes the overall
behaviour of the media.

Fundamental questions then arise: Is such an equivalent
macroscopic description possible? What is the domain of validity of
this macroscopic description? The homogenization technique provides
complete and rigorous answers to these questions.

This book aims to summarize the homogenization technique and its
contribution to engineering sciences. Researchers, graduate
students and engineers will find here a unified and concise
presentation.

The book is divided into four parts whose main topics are

* Introduction to the homogenization technique for periodic or
random media, with emphasis on the physics involved in the
mathematical process and the applications to real materials.

* Heat and mass transfers in porous media

* Newtonian fluid flow in rigid porous media under different
regimes

* Quasi-statics and dynamics of saturated deformable porous
media

Each part is illustrated by numerical or analytical applications
as well as comparison with the self-consistent approach.

Jean-Louis Auriault received a civil engineer degree from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris. He served as a Professor of continuum mechanics at University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble.

Claude Boutin is civil engineer. He received Habilitation at University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble. He serves as a Professor at école Nationale des Travaux publics de l'Etat, Lyon.

Christian Geindreau, after ENS Cachan, received a Ph.D in mechanics at the University Joseph Fourier. He serves as a Professor in mechanics at the University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble.

Zusammenfassung
Both naturally-occurring and man-made materials are often heterogeneous materials formed of various constituents with different properties and behaviours. Studies are usually carried out on volumes of materials that contain a large number of heterogeneities. Describing these media by using appropriate mathematical models to describe each constituent turns out to be an intractable problem. Instead they are generally investigated by using an equivalent macroscopic description - relative to the microscopic heterogeneity scale - which describes the overall behaviour of the media.

Fundamental questions then arise: Is such an equivalent macroscopic description possible? What is the domain of validity of this macroscopic description? The homogenization technique provides complete and rigorous answers to these questions.

This book aims to summarize the homogenization technique and its contribution to engineering sciences. Researchers, graduate students and engineers will find here a unified and concise presentation.

The book is divided into four parts whose main topics are

• Introduction to the homogenization technique for periodic or random media, with emphasis on the physics involved in the mathematical process and the applications to real materials.
• Heat and mass transfers in porous media
• Newtonian fluid flow in rigid porous media under different regimes
• Quasi-statics and dynamics of saturated deformable porous media

Each part is illustrated by numerical or analytical applications as well as comparison with the self-consistent approach.