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Master'sOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Master’s in Terramechanics, Tyres & Running Gear Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in terramechanics, tyres and undercarriage engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the soil-vehicle system, soil mechanics, terramechanical models, OTR tyres, tracks and undercarriage, traction, compaction, wear and maintenance, design and simulation, field testing and safety regulations, 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

Characterise soils for mobility analysis.

02

Apply terramechanical models to undercarriage design.

03

Select tyres and tracks according to the application.

04

Quantify traction, slip and efficiency.

05

Reduce soil compaction through design.

06

Plan the maintenance of tyres and tracks.

07

Carry out field tests with suitable instrumentation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Undercarriage engineers.
  • Terramechanics specialists.
  • OTR tyre managers in mining and construction fleets.
  • Mobility test engineers.
  • Machinery product engineers.
  • Track maintenance technicians.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the construction machinery sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 4250-1 (tyres and rims for earth-moving machinery)
  • ETRTO Standards Manual (European tyre and rim technical standards)
  • ASABE S313.3 (soil cone penetrometer)
  • ASABE EP542 (procedures for using the cone penetrometer)
  • UNE-EN ISO 14688-1 (identification and classification of soils)
  • UNE-EN ISO 17892 (laboratory testing of soil)
  • ISO 6014 (determination of ground speed)
  • MSC Adams
  • Altair EDEM
  • MATLAB
  • Ansys Mechanical
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Interaction between undercarriage and soil
  2. 1.2Classification of undercarriages
  3. 1.3Wheels versus tracks
  4. 1.4Mobility requirements
  5. 1.5Productivity and fuel consumption
  6. 1.6Ground compaction
  7. 1.7Mobility on soft terrain
  8. 1.8Bekker's contributions
  9. 1.9Current mobility challenges
  10. 1.10Case study: excavator undercarriage
  1. 2.1Particle size analysis and grading curves
  2. 2.2Atterberg limits
  3. 2.3Cohesion and friction angle
  4. 2.4Mohr-Coulomb criterion
  5. 2.5Density and moisture content
  6. 2.6Laboratory tests
  7. 2.7USCS soil classification
  8. 2.8Field correlations
  9. 2.9Behaviour under repeated loading
  10. 2.10Lab: direct shear test
  1. 3.1Bekker model
  2. 3.2Wong's contributions
  3. 3.3Reece model
  4. 3.4Empirical cone index methods
  5. 3.5Discrete element method
  6. 3.6Finite elements in soils
  7. 3.7Available terramechanics software
  8. 3.8Experimental validation of models
  9. 3.9Limits of the models
  10. 3.10Practical: implementing the Bekker model
  1. 4.1Bias-ply and radial
  2. 4.2OTR tyre designation
  3. 4.3Load and speed indices
  4. 4.4Load capacity by ply rating
  5. 4.5Working pressures
  6. 4.6TKPH thermal capacity index
  7. 4.7Compounds and treads
  8. 4.8Typical OTR tyre damage
  9. 4.9Multi-piece rims and their risks
  10. 4.10Case study: TKPH calculation for a dump truck
  1. 5.1Steel track chains
  2. 5.2Upper and lower rollers
  3. 5.3Idlers and track adjusters
  4. 5.4Track chain tension
  5. 5.5Track shoe types
  6. 5.6Rubber tracks
  7. 5.7Wear mechanisms
  8. 5.8Track frame configurations
  9. 5.9Selection by application
  10. 5.10Workshop: measuring track chain wear
  1. 6.1Available tractive effort
  2. 6.2Wheel slip and its measurement
  3. 6.3Machine ballasting
  4. 6.4Tractive efficiency
  5. 6.5Rolling resistance losses
  6. 6.6Traction dynamics
  7. 6.7Traction control
  8. 6.8Configuration optimisation
  9. 6.9Traction measurement
  10. 6.10Lab: field traction curve
  1. 7.1Topsoil and subsoil compaction
  2. 7.2Contact pressure
  3. 7.3Central tyre inflation in the field
  4. 7.4Low-pressure tyres
  5. 7.5Controlled traffic farming systems
  6. 7.6Impact on crop yield
  7. 7.7Agronomic pressure recommendations
  8. 7.8Recent research on compaction
  9. 7.9Corrective measures after compaction
  10. 7.10Practical: compaction comparison
  1. 8.1Wear mechanisms in tracks and tyres
  2. 8.2Tyre and track inspection
  3. 8.3Ultrasonic measurement
  4. 8.4Replacement planning
  5. 8.5Cost per hour
  6. 8.6Undercarriage rebuilding
  7. 8.7OTR tyre retreading
  8. 8.8Fleet tyre management
  9. 8.9Service life estimation
  10. 8.10Case study: OTR tyre management
  1. 9.1Undercarriage CAD
  2. 9.2Multibody undercarriage models
  3. 9.3DEM soil simulation
  4. 9.4Vehicle-soil co-simulation
  5. 9.5Design optimisation
  6. 9.6Validation of design models
  7. 9.7Undercarriage loads
  8. 9.8Undercarriage durability
  9. 9.9Software tools
  10. 9.10Lab: DEM with granular soil
  1. 10.1Bevameter tests
  2. 10.2Cone penetrometer
  3. 10.3Drawbar dynamometer
  4. 10.4Machine instrumentation
  5. 10.5Test protocol
  6. 10.6Data acquisition
  7. 10.7Analysis of field results
  8. 10.8Measurement uncertainty
  9. 10.9Test report
  10. 10.10Practical: mobility test campaign
  1. 11.1OTR tyre and rim standards
  2. 11.2ETRTO standards manuals
  3. 11.3Safe inflation pressures
  4. 11.4Mounting large tyres
  5. 11.5Explosion risk
  6. 11.6Nitrogen inflation
  7. 11.7Staff training
  8. 11.8Inspection and records
  9. 11.9Work procedures
  10. 11.10Case study: safe mounting of OTR tyres
  1. 12.1Definition of machine and terrain
  2. 12.2Soil characterisation
  3. 12.3Terramechanical model of the case
  4. 12.4Tyre or track selection
  5. 12.5System simulation
  6. 12.6Test plan
  7. 12.7Economic analysis of alternatives
  8. 12.8Design conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is taught 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Adams, Altair EDEM, MATLAB and Ansys Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for bevameter mobility testing, track wear measurement and OTR tyre management in mining. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 4250-1; ETRTO Standards Manual; ASABE S313.3; ASABE EP542; UNE-EN ISO 14688-1; UNE-EN ISO 17892; ISO 6014.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 4250-1, the ETRTO Standards Manual and ASABE S313.3 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MSC Adams, Altair EDEM, MATLAB and Ansys Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete undercarriage project for a defined machine and terrain, from soil characterisation and terramechanical modelling to tyre or track selection, 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.

Soil characterisation
Define the machine and terrain and characterise the soil with laboratory and field tests.
Terramechanical model
Implement a Bekker-type model of the case to predict traction and sinkage.
Tyre or track selection
Select the tyre or track using TKPH, contact pressure and compaction criteria.
Simulation and test plan
Simulate the system with DEM and multibody tools and plan a field mobility test campaign.
Master's Thesis
A complete undercarriage project for a defined machine and terrain, from soil characterisation and terramechanical modelling to tyre or track selection, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Undercarriage engineerTerramechanics specialistOTR tyre managerMobility test engineerMachinery product engineerTrack maintenance technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An 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.

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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, Altair EDEM, MATLAB and Ansys Mechanical, 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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