Dear Reader,

I hope you are doing well. Here is another newsletter and I am reflecting on a recent video I published about porous media, as well as highlight my next software launch.

How to model a porous media

I have always wanted to make this video, after my first video about porous media got a lot of attention. This video was aimed at tracking the whole model from theory, to virtual domain design, implementation in ABAQUS and then to extracting stress-strain plots with effective properties from the simulations. Please click on the image below to watch the full video, if you have not seen it.

The highlights of the video include the following:

• The implementation of a Monte Carlo style Random Sequential Adsorption approach to generate random distribution of pores.
• The Monte Carlo approach was accomplished using a bespoke software developed by CM Videos Ltd called: MontCarlGen3Dv1.0. Please watch out for official release of the software.
• The use of a generated Python script to recreate the voided porous media.
• The implementation of appropriate constraint-equation based philosophy to impose uniaxial and shear deformation on the domain.
• Post-test analysis for extracting stress-strain plots from the simulations.
• A neat strategy of extracting surface area for an irregular (porous) surface, by a Python script.

Please let me know how you feel about the video and any further video ideas in the area, for me to consider.

Watch out for MontCarlGen3D version 1.0

I will be launching a new software product called MontCarlGen3Dv1, which is a Monte Carlo style implementation of the Random Sequential Adsorption technique for generating random distribution of inclusions within an RVE. In this version, the geometry of the inclusion is spherical and the RVE can be cubic or cuboidal.

The code can be used for analysis of the following types of simulations:

• Modelling of particulate composites as shown here.
• Modelling of porous media as shown here.
• Modelling comparisons of cuboidal and cubic RVEs
• Modelling the effect of edge and internal particles/voids
• Modelling the the effect of voids in particulate composites.

I am doing last-minute packaging of the code in readiness for launch in the coming weeks. I will be offering a product launch discount to all CM Videos Insider Group members who will hope to be early adopters of the code. Please watch this space.

Behind the Scene at CM Videos: Exploring Learn Worlds

I got a request from a CM Videos Insider about creating an online course for Long Fibre Composites. I do not have such a course but thought it would be fun to make such a video and such a course. I immediately drafted the outline of the course and started looking at which online platform that I can host it, which will not only host such a course but also future courses. I currently use Thinkific for my one online course about RVE modelling of composites but it has limitations so I am keen to see what is out there.

I had known about this platform for hosting online courses called Learn Worlds but never researched into it. This week I did and I must say I like what they offer. I attended a webinar hosted by them, where they described in more details what is the platform offers. I am keen to see if I can use the platform in future.

I am doing this because part of my 2022 goals include creating online courses that will package all that I know about ABAQUS and RVE modelling of different materials into easily accessible and complete packages for users to use. They will be comprehensive and hopefully well made so that it will add a ton of value to you. I am undecided on which course to make first but do keep watching this space. I will take you along with me in the journey of making the courses.

If you have ideas about online course ideas that you will want me to consider, please let me know by sending a reply to this newsletter.

Quote of the Week

I am taking the quote for the week from the words of Jim Rohn and it goes:

The quote speaks to me because it talks about the law of averages. If you spend time with a certain group of people, unconsciously you begin to adopt their ideologies and mannerisms. A bible verse puts it differently by stating:

Recently, I have been consuming a lot of self-development podcasts and books to help me become better at business. As a result, I have been spending time listening to the thoughts of business leaders about their journeys to success and learning from them. This, I believe, in the long run, will help me become better at running CM Videos Ltd.

As a student or researcher, what is the idea you have for success? Who is doing that already? How often do you spend time in their company? These days, with social media, it is easy to connect with people and read books about their thoughts. Decide to surround yourself with people who are doing what we want to become and see yourself morph into them!

That is it for another week and do have a wonderful weekend and I will get back in touch next week with another newsletter.