Postgraduate Diploma in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints. 8 modules covering ASTM C393 sandwich beam flexure, ASTM C297 flatwise tension of sandwich and Abaqus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Select cores and facesheets for sandwich structures.
Calculate sandwich panels against their failure modes.
Manufacture sandwich panels with defect control.
Design adhesive joints with appropriate surface preparation.
Size mechanical and hybrid joints in composites.
Analyse critical safety joints in line with FIA requirements.
Plan validation tests for panels and joints.
Who it's for
- Structures engineer who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- Composite materials engineer who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- FEM analysis engineer who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- Composite manufacturing technician who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- Test engineer who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- Chassis design engineer who wants to specialise in Cores, Sandwich and Critical Joints.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter motorsport competition.
What you'll work with
- ASTM C393 sandwich beam flexure
- ASTM C297 flatwise tension of sandwich
- ASTM C273 core shear
- ASTM D5868 lap shear of reinforced plastics
- ASTM D5961 bearing response
- ASTM D7766 sandwich testing
- CMH-17 Composite Materials Handbook
- FIA Technical Regulations on safety structures
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Principle of sandwich structures1.2Facesheets, core and adhesive1.3Bending stiffness and mass efficiency1.4Applications in chassis and bodywork1.5Impact structures1.6Advantages and limitations1.7Selection of configurations1.8Costs and manufacturability1.9Examples of use in competition1.10Workshop: comparison of panels by specific stiffness
2.1Aluminium honeycomb2.2Nomex aramid honeycomb2.3PMI and PVC foam cores2.4Balsa and thermoplastic cores2.5Density and cell size2.6Shear and compression properties2.7Temperature behaviour2.8Moisture absorption2.9Machining and shaping of the core2.10Practical: core selection for a floor
3.1Sandwich beam theory3.2Deflection from bending and shear3.3Failure modes: facesheet buckling, wrinkling3.4Core crushing3.5Core shear failure3.6Concentrated loads and inserts3.7FEM analysis of panels3.8Beam flexure tests3.9Design with safety margins3.10Laboratory: three-point bending test of a sandwich panel
4.1Co-curing versus secondary bonding4.2Film adhesives and their curing4.3Core stabilisation4.4Vacuum and pressure control4.5Defects: debonding and cell collapse4.6Core ramps and edges4.7Embedded inserts in the core4.8Panel inspection4.9Core repair4.10Practical: manufacture of a panel with a Nomex core
5.1Adhesion theory5.2Epoxy, acrylic and methacrylate adhesives5.3Surface preparation by sanding and peel ply5.4Joint geometries5.5Stress distribution and peel5.6Lap shear testing5.7Ageing and environment5.8Adhesive bond line control5.9Defects and their detection5.10Case study: adhesive bonding of a wing bracket
6.1Bolted joints in composites6.2Failure modes: bearing, tear-out, tension6.3Inserts and bushings6.4Torque values and relaxation6.5Riveted joints in composite panels6.6Hybrid adhesive-mechanical joints6.7Galvanic corrosion with carbon6.8Metal-to-composite joints6.9Joint fatigue6.10Laboratory: bearing test of a drilled hole
7.1Suspension anchorages to the chassis7.2Monocoque joints with impact structures7.3Harness and seat anchorages7.4Halo joints7.5FIA static test requirements7.6Periodic joint inspection7.7Joint failure analysis7.8Safety factors7.9Calculation documentation7.10Case study: analysis of a suspension anchorage
8.1Selection of the sandwich component8.2Definition of loads8.3Selection of core and facesheets8.4Panel sizing8.5Design of joints and inserts8.6Finite element analysis8.7Validation test plan8.8Manufacturing plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, Altair HyperWorks and OptiStruct, ESAComp, Ansys Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real test procedures for sandwich panel flexure, adhesive joint validation and suspension anchorage analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Select cores and facesheets for sandwich structures.
Calculate sandwich panels against their failure modes.
Manufacture sandwich panels with defect control.
Design adhesive joints with appropriate surface preparation.
Size mechanical and hybrid joints in composites.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Abaqus, Altair HyperWorks and OptiStruct, ESAComp, Ansys Mechanical. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is an in-house programme, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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