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.
Master’s in Terramechanics, Tyres & Running Gear Engineering — studying from Australia
Off-road and special-purpose vehicles are central to Australia's mining, agriculture, construction and emergency services sectors. Remote geography and harsh conditions create strong demand for robust machinery, including haul trucks, agricultural equipment and specialist fire and rescue vehicles. Engineers work on hydraulics, drivetrains, operator safety and machine automation. Employers include mining equipment manufacturers and dealers, agricultural machinery firms, construction companies and government fleet agencies.
Fees for Australia: A$12,600 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will this qualification be recognised by Australian engineering bodies for off-road vehicle work?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body assessing your application. Engineers Australia assesses competence independently, so check its requirements before enrolling if membership is your goal.
Which Australian employers work with off-road and special vehicles and machinery?
Mining and agricultural equipment makers, fleet operators, defence and emergency service vehicle suppliers, and four-wheel-drive modification businesses are examples. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria. Relevant experience and a practical final project are often as important as the qualification.
Can I study this online while working in Australia, and is there support?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. You can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible; check the total hours and plan a realistic schedule.
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
Characterise soils for mobility analysis.
Apply terramechanical models to undercarriage design.
Select tyres and tracks according to the application.
Quantify traction, slip and efficiency.
Reduce soil compaction through design.
Plan the maintenance of tyres and tracks.
Carry out field tests with suitable instrumentation.
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.
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
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Interaction between undercarriage and soil1.2Classification of undercarriages1.3Wheels versus tracks1.4Mobility requirements1.5Productivity and fuel consumption1.6Ground compaction1.7Mobility on soft terrain1.8Bekker's contributions1.9Current mobility challenges1.10Case study: excavator undercarriage
2.1Particle size analysis and grading curves2.2Atterberg limits2.3Cohesion and friction angle2.4Mohr-Coulomb criterion2.5Density and moisture content2.6Laboratory tests2.7USCS soil classification2.8Field correlations2.9Behaviour under repeated loading2.10Lab: direct shear test
3.1Bekker model3.2Wong's contributions3.3Reece model3.4Empirical cone index methods3.5Discrete element method3.6Finite elements in soils3.7Available terramechanics software3.8Experimental validation of models3.9Limits of the models3.10Practical: implementing the Bekker model
4.1Bias-ply and radial4.2OTR tyre designation4.3Load and speed indices4.4Load capacity by ply rating4.5Working pressures4.6TKPH thermal capacity index4.7Compounds and treads4.8Typical OTR tyre damage4.9Multi-piece rims and their risks4.10Case study: TKPH calculation for a dump truck
5.1Steel track chains5.2Upper and lower rollers5.3Idlers and track adjusters5.4Track chain tension5.5Track shoe types5.6Rubber tracks5.7Wear mechanisms5.8Track frame configurations5.9Selection by application5.10Workshop: measuring track chain wear
6.1Available tractive effort6.2Wheel slip and its measurement6.3Machine ballasting6.4Tractive efficiency6.5Rolling resistance losses6.6Traction dynamics6.7Traction control6.8Configuration optimisation6.9Traction measurement6.10Lab: field traction curve
7.1Topsoil and subsoil compaction7.2Contact pressure7.3Central tyre inflation in the field7.4Low-pressure tyres7.5Controlled traffic farming systems7.6Impact on crop yield7.7Agronomic pressure recommendations7.8Recent research on compaction7.9Corrective measures after compaction7.10Practical: compaction comparison
8.1Wear mechanisms in tracks and tyres8.2Tyre and track inspection8.3Ultrasonic measurement8.4Replacement planning8.5Cost per hour8.6Undercarriage rebuilding8.7OTR tyre retreading8.8Fleet tyre management8.9Service life estimation8.10Case study: OTR tyre management
9.1Undercarriage CAD9.2Multibody undercarriage models9.3DEM soil simulation9.4Vehicle-soil co-simulation9.5Design optimisation9.6Validation of design models9.7Undercarriage loads9.8Undercarriage durability9.9Software tools9.10Lab: DEM with granular soil
10.1Bevameter tests10.2Cone penetrometer10.3Drawbar dynamometer10.4Machine instrumentation10.5Test protocol10.6Data acquisition10.7Analysis of field results10.8Measurement uncertainty10.9Test report10.10Practical: mobility test campaign
11.1OTR tyre and rim standards11.2ETRTO standards manuals11.3Safe inflation pressures11.4Mounting large tyres11.5Explosion risk11.6Nitrogen inflation11.7Staff training11.8Inspection and records11.9Work procedures11.10Case study: safe mounting of OTR tyres
12.1Definition of machine and terrain12.2Soil characterisation12.3Terramechanical model of the case12.4Tyre or track selection12.5System simulation12.6Test plan12.7Economic analysis of alternatives12.8Design conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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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