Numerical simulation can be a useful tool for studying composite media. It is not limited by weak or single scattering assumptions, and it requires only constituent properties and an arrangement of constituents as input. For solid/solid media with octagonal cylindrical inclusions and for typical values of constituent moduli, composite moduli are accurately predicted by two‐dimensional (2-D) analogs of Kuster‐Toksöz formulas. For solid/solid media there is a small but discernable difference between responses of square and those of octagonal inclusions. Coherent reflections are produced by a coherent wave incident at a change in concentration of inclusions, if the contrast between material properties of the matrix and those of the inclusions is sufficient to produce significant scattering, and if the size of scatterers is sufficiently small and their concentration sufficiently large so there is constructive interference between waves originating at adjacent scatterers.