Homogenization of stiff inclusions through network approximation

Abstract

We investigate the homogenization of inclusions of infinite conductivity, randomly stationary distributed inside a homogeneous conducting medium. A now classical result by Zhikov shows that, under a logarithmic moment bound on the inter-particle distance, an effective model with finite homogeneous conductivity exists. Relying on ideas from network approximation, we provide a relaxed criterion ensuring homogenization. Several examples not covered by the previous theory are discussed.