Unit cell versus RVE modelling of UD composites
Hello Reader,
Welcome to this week's newsletter where I will reflect on my latest video on the CM Videos channel as well as the usuals.
Unit cell versus RVE modelling of UD composites
This week, I published a video which you can see below, using the approach of unit cell modelling of UD composites. I usually work with Representative Volume Element models but decided to do something different for the audience who want a unit cell model. The question you might ask is, what is the difference between unit cell and representative volume element?
Firstly, a Representative Volume Element (RVE) is a virtual domain that captures the entirety of the macroscale based on a sizeable microscale domain. The key here is that the RVE should be big enough to represent or replace the macroscale domain. To do so, the look, feel and properties generated from the RVE must converge with those experimentally determined from the macroscale domain. RVE modelling is best used where heterogenous distribution of inclusions is established.
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On the other hand, Unit Cell Modelling is used where a clear repeating pattern can be identified in the microstructure. For such systems, it does not make sense to use a bigger sized RVE since the underlying architecture is the same. It is usually based on the smallest repeating unit hence the idea of a unit cell. It can be relatively easy to model but the user needs to be sure a convergence between effective properties (numerical) and experimental properties exists.
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How to decide to go with either Unit cell or RVE modelling approach: To decide whether to go the Unit Cell or RVE modelling approach, you have to consider the distribution of the inclusions (or microstructural features) within the proposed virtual domain. If there is a clear repeating pattern and you can identify a sizeable repeating unit, then it makes sense to follow the unit cell modelling approach. This will be true if the microstructure is homogeneous i.e. in terms of size of geometric features rather than material consitituents.
On the other hand, if your microstructure shows randomness of microstructural features (geometry-wise), and you struggle to find a repeating unit, then an RVE modelling approach is advised. The task here is to determine how big the virtual domain will be to be representative-enough for the material you are working with. Therefore, you will have to do some iterative numerical studies to compare numerical predictions with experimental properties until a convergence exists between the two - at which point, you now have your RVE.
If you are interested in further insights into these, then do let me know and I can make a video about it for the YouTube channel.
Reading my third book of the year
I set out at the start of the year to read 10 books. I cannot believe that I am already on my third book of the year. My purpose for reading books is to try and learn new things especially in those areas where I am quite deficient. So, I made a choice to read books not necessarily on computational modelling so far this year. So, to date I have read:
- Hook Line by Brendan Kane which is helping me create distinctive contents that will stand out in a short-attention span world
- The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, which showed me the importance of making small improvements daily on whatever task I am working on with a cummulative benefit of becoming truly excellent when the efforts compound.
Now, unto the third book of the year. I so enjoyed Darren Hardy's book mentioned above that I immediately bought his next book titled The Entrepreneurs Roller Coaster. I have truly been enjoying it and journaling on several aspects of what Darren describes in the book. It has truly been mind-blowing and I am learning a lot about business and the life of an entrepreneur - which truly is an area I struggle the most.
Quote for the week
Since I have been so effusive in my praise for Darren Hardy's book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, it only makes sense to take my quote for the week from it.
The essence of the quote is that, especially for millenials, we are often romanticizing about our work and how it has to be exciting all the time. However, sustaining a passion for ones work every minute you do it is not realistic. We will often have moments we are involved in gut-wrenching work which is as mundane as watching paint dry. Yet, to truly excel at our work, we have to soldier on through those 'suck' moments until we attain the win we want. As a researcher, PhD student or professional, your work will suck most of the time but you have to keep going. I resonate with this as there are aspects of my life as an academic that I truly do not enjoy (e.g. endless marking of student's work) but that does mean I have lost my passion for academia. It is just life and we must keep showing up in whatever we do for this is the secret to true mastery and excellence.
Finally, we are having a massive wind storm here in the UK - a storm called Storm Eunice. If you are in the UK and up and about, please try and stay safe. My university is closed today for safety of staff and students so I am working from home.
That's it for this week. I wish you all a relaxing weekend and we will catch up again next week.
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Thank you for reading this newsletter. If you have any comment about my reflections this week, please do email me in a reply to this message and I will be so glad to hear from you. If you know anyone who would benefit from reading these reflections, please do share with them. If there is any topic you want me to explore making a video about, then please do let me know by clicking on the link below. I wish you a wonderful week and I will catch up with you in the next newsletter.
Lets keep creating effective computational modelling solutions. Michael Connect with me on: Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Mailing List Other Links
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