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Master'sDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Master’s in Chassis, Suspension and Running Gear for Land Platforms Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in chassis, suspension and running gear engineering for land platforms: 12 modules covering heavy vehicle dynamics, vehicle-terrain interaction, chassis and frame design, wheeled suspension, tracked running gear, steering and braking, materials, NVH, simulation and testing, reliability and the regulatory framework, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the dynamics of heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles.

02

Model vehicle-terrain interaction.

03

Design chassis and frames using fatigue criteria.

04

Size suspension systems and running gear.

05

Assess noise, vibration and crew comfort.

06

Correlate simulations with durability tests.

07

Apply reliability, safety and regulatory criteria to the subsystem.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Chassis and suspension engineers.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineers.
  • Durability engineers.
  • Vehicle test engineers.
  • Reliability engineers.
  • Materials engineers working on heavy vehicles.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests)
  • ISO 2631-1 (human exposure to whole-body vibration)
  • MIL-STD-1366E (transportability criteria)
  • MIL-STD-209K (lifting and tie-down provisions)
  • MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
  • UN Regulation No. 13 (braking of heavy vehicles)
  • EN 9100:2018 (quality management for aviation, space and defence)
  • MSC Adams
  • Ansys Mechanical
  • Altair HyperWorks
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • nCode DesignLife
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Vehicle equations of motion
  2. 1.2Longitudinal dynamics
  3. 1.3Lateral dynamics and stability
  4. 1.4Vertical dynamics and ride comfort
  5. 1.5Load transfer
  6. 1.6Multi-axle vehicles
  7. 1.7Tracked vehicles: skid steering
  8. 1.8Rollover stability indicators
  9. 1.9Vehicle dynamics test standards
  10. 1.10Case study: stability analysis of a 30 t vehicle
  1. 2.1Applied soil mechanics
  2. 2.2Bekker and Wong models
  3. 2.3NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM)
  4. 2.4Mean maximum pressure
  5. 2.5Traction and rolling resistance
  6. 2.6Mobility on soft soils
  7. 2.7Obstacles, trenches and gradients
  8. 2.8Central tyre inflation systems
  9. 2.9Off-road mobility testing
  10. 2.10Lab: traction calculation with the Bekker model
  1. 3.1Chassis architectures
  2. 3.2Frame versus self-supporting hull
  3. 3.3Structural analysis of the chassis
  4. 3.4Design loads and spectra
  5. 3.5Fatigue and structural life
  6. 3.6Bolted and welded joints
  7. 3.7Topology optimisation
  8. 3.8Chassis materials
  9. 3.9Corrosion and protection
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: finite element analysis of a frame
  1. 4.1Independent suspension versus rigid axles
  2. 4.2Hydropneumatic suspension
  3. 4.3Dampers and their characterisation
  4. 4.4Springs and anti-roll bars
  5. 4.5Suspension kinematics
  6. 4.6Semi-active and active suspension
  7. 4.7Ride height adjustment
  8. 4.8Travel and bump stops
  9. 4.9Suspension testing
  10. 4.10Case study: sizing a hydropneumatic suspension
  1. 5.1Running gear components
  2. 5.2Steel and rubber tracks
  3. 5.3Road wheels, idlers and drive sprockets
  4. 5.4Torsion bars
  5. 5.5Hydropneumatic suspension in tracked vehicles
  6. 5.6Track tension
  7. 5.7Wear and component life
  8. 5.8Running gear noise and vibration
  9. 5.9Running gear maintenance
  10. 5.10Lab: multibody model of a running gear
  1. 6.1Steering in multi-axle vehicles
  2. 6.2Hydraulic and electro-hydraulic steering
  3. 6.3Skid steering in tracked vehicles
  4. 6.4Pneumatic braking systems
  5. 6.5Disc brakes in heavy vehicles
  6. 6.6Retarders
  7. 6.7ABS and stability control
  8. 6.8Brake type-approval requirements
  9. 6.9Braking tests
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: calculating braking distances
  1. 7.1High-strength steels
  2. 7.2Aluminium alloys
  3. 7.3Structural composite materials
  4. 7.4Elastomers in running gear
  5. 7.5Welding processes
  6. 7.6Heat and surface treatments
  7. 7.7Additive manufacturing of spare parts
  8. 7.8Materials quality control
  9. 7.9Non-destructive testing
  10. 7.10Case study: material selection for a suspension arm
  1. 8.1Sources of noise and vibration
  2. 8.2Human exposure to vibration ISO 2631
  3. 8.3Vibration transmitted to the crew
  4. 8.4Isolation and elastic mounts
  5. 8.5Experimental modal analysis
  6. 8.6NVH simulation
  7. 8.7Off-road ride comfort
  8. 8.8Effects on on-board electronics
  9. 8.9Vibration track testing
  10. 8.10Lab: vibration exposure analysis
  1. 9.1Full-vehicle multibody models
  2. 9.2Durability simulation
  3. 9.3Road and terrain profiles
  4. 9.4Four-poster rig testing
  5. 9.5Durability test tracks
  6. 9.6Simulation-test correlation
  7. 9.7Strain gauge instrumentation
  8. 9.8Test data management
  9. 9.9MIL-STD-810 qualification testing
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: correlating a model with test data
  1. 10.1Reliability of running gear components
  2. 10.2Typical failure modes
  3. 10.3FMECA of the suspension system
  4. 10.4Preventive and corrective maintenance
  5. 10.5Condition monitoring
  6. 10.6Spare parts management
  7. 10.7Life cycle cost
  8. 10.8Suspension upgrades
  9. 10.9Lessons from in-service fleets
  10. 10.10Workshop: FMECA of a running gear
  1. 11.1System safety
  2. 11.2Type approval for road use
  3. 11.3Transportability and tie-down standards
  4. 11.4AQAP and EN 9100 quality standards
  5. 11.5Export controls on components
  6. 11.6International humanitarian law
  7. 11.7Professional ethics
  8. 11.8Safety in testing
  9. 11.9Environmental responsibility
  10. 11.10Case study: safety plan for track testing
  1. 12.1Definition of the subsystem
  2. 12.2Mobility requirements
  3. 12.3Conceptual design
  4. 12.4Structural analysis
  5. 12.5Dynamic simulation
  6. 12.6Test plan
  7. 12.7RAMS analysis
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Adams, Ansys Mechanical, Altair HyperWorks, MATLAB/Simulink and nCode DesignLife, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: multibody simulation of suspensions and running gear, durability testing on tracks and rigs, and mobility analysis on soft terrain. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: MIL-STD-810H, ISO 2631-1, MIL-STD-1366E, MIL-STD-209K, MIL-STD-882E, UN Regulation No. 13 (braking of heavy vehicles), EN 9100:2018.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of MIL-STD-810H, ISO 2631-1, MIL-STD-1366E and UN Regulation No. 13 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MSC Adams, Ansys Mechanical, Altair HyperWorks, MATLAB/Simulink and nCode DesignLife, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The design of a chassis, suspension or running gear subsystem, from mobility requirements to test plan and RAMS analysis, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Subsystem and mobility requirements
Define the subsystem and its mobility requirements.
Conceptual design and structural analysis
Develop the conceptual design and verify it through structural analysis.
Dynamic simulation
Simulate the subsystem with multibody models on representative terrain.
Test plan and RAMS
Prepare the durability test plan and the RAMS analysis.
Master's Thesis
The design of a chassis, suspension or running gear subsystem, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Chassis and suspension engineerVehicle dynamics engineerDurability engineerVehicle test engineerReliability engineerMaterials engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MSC Adams, Ansys Mechanical, Altair HyperWorks, MATLAB/Simulink and nCode DesignLife, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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