This study developed generalized mathematical models to describe the motion of fluids in porous media, and applied these models to harmonic excitation applications. The problem of fluid flow in small channels of a periodic elastic solid matrix was studied at the pore scale, and the homogenization technique was applied to predict the macroscopic behavior of reservoirs. Based on the homogenization study, five separate characteristic macroscopic models were identified according to the relation between a length scale parameter and a property contrast number. These five models can be used to interpret the corresponding responses of a saturated porous medium. The relation to existing theories, such as Darcy's law, the Telegrapher's equation and Biot's theory, was investigated. The numerical results and applications are presented in Part II of the study.