Foams are an important component of various inertial confinement
fusion target schemes. The propagation of shock waves in foams is also
an important issue for many other laser experiments (e.g., laboratory
astrophysics experiments). The usual approach is to assume that the
foam can be considered as a homogeneous mixture. Taking into account
the effects of foam heterogeneity leads to increased shock velocity and
reduced compressibility. Evidence of this effect is obtained using
two-dimensional adaptive mesh refinement Eulerian numerical
simulations. Nonetheless, for the very low density foams filled with DT
ice used in recent direct drive target designs, the homogeneous mixture
model provides adequate shock timing, density, and pressure
profiles.