Course on vibrations in Rotorcraft structures
Online course of 300 hours in rotorcraft structural vibrations: 6 modules covering vibration sources, fuselage structural dynamics, vibration measurement and analysis, passive vibration control, and active control and integrated design, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Identify vibration sources in rotorcraft.
Analyse the structural dynamics of the fuselage.
Measure and process in-flight vibrations.
Diagnose faults through vibration analysis.
Design passive control solutions.
Assess active vibration control systems.
Interpret the applicable certification requirements.
Who it's for
- Helicopter vibration engineers looking to strengthen their analysis and control methods.
- Structural dynamics engineers applying modal analysis to rotorcraft.
- Flight test engineers measuring and interpreting in-flight vibrations.
- HUMS monitoring engineers working on vibration-based diagnostics.
- Rotor balancing technicians wanting a deeper engineering foundation.
- Rotorcraft certification engineers dealing with vibration requirements.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aeronautical sector.
What you'll work with
- CS 29.251 (EASA) (vibration requirements for large rotorcraft)
- CS 27.251 (EASA) (vibration requirements for small rotorcraft)
- FAA AC 29-2C (certification of transport category rotorcraft)
- ISO 2631-1 (evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration)
- ADS-27A-SP (rotorcraft propulsion system vibration and environmental testing requirements)
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests)
- UK CAA CAP 753 (helicopter vibration health monitoring guidance)
- MSC Nastran
- Siemens Simcenter Testlab
- CAMRAD II
- MATLAB
- Dewesoft
6 modules
1.1Periodic loads from the main rotor1.2N/rev harmonic frequencies1.3Tail rotor vibrations1.4Rotor-fuselage aerodynamic interaction1.5Transmission and gears1.6Turboshaft engine vibrations1.7Vibrations in forward flight and transition1.8Low-frequency cabin vibrations1.9Effects on crew and equipment1.10Case study: cabin vibrations in a light helicopter
2.1Fuselage natural modes2.2Finite element models of rotorcraft2.3Lumped masses and equipment2.4Forced response to rotor loads2.5Campbell diagram and crossing frequencies2.6Structural damping and its estimation2.7Structural modification and tuning2.8Ground vibration tests2.9Test-model correlation2.10Lab: modal analysis of a helicopter fuselage
3.1Accelerometers and their mounting3.2In-flight data acquisition3.3Spectral analysis and FFT3.4Order analysis and synchronisation3.5Seat vibrations and effects on the body3.6Cabin vibration criteria3.7Monitoring with HUMS systems3.8Rotor balancing and tracking3.9Fault diagnosis through vibration3.10Practical exercise: rotor balancing from measurements
4.1Tuned absorbers in the cabin4.2Bifilar pendulums on the hub4.3Transmission isolation4.4Main gearbox suspensions4.5Damped seats4.6Blade frequency tuning4.7Viscoelastic materials in panels4.8Optimisation of equipment supports4.9Weight-vibration trade-off4.10Workshop: design of a tuned absorber
5.1Active control of structural response5.2Higher harmonic control5.3Individual blade control5.4Piezoelectric and electromagnetic actuators5.5Adaptive control algorithms5.6Reliability of active systems5.7Integrated rotor-fuselage design5.8Vibration certification requirements5.9Component fatigue due to vibration5.10Case study: active system on a medium helicopter
6.1Definition of the study helicopter6.2Source characterisation6.3Fuselage dynamic model6.4Response analysis6.5Passive control proposal6.6Assessment of active control6.7Flight verification plan6.8Study conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final 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 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 standard and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Nastran, Siemens Simcenter Testlab, CAMRAD II, MATLAB and Dewesoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: in-flight vibration measurement, modal analysis of a fuselage and design of passive control solutions. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: CS 29.251 (EASA), CS 27.251 (EASA), FAA AC 29-2C, ISO 2631-1, ADS-27A-SP, MIL-STD-810H, UK CAA CAP 753.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MSC Nastran, Siemens Simcenter Testlab, CAMRAD II, MATLAB and Dewesoft, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's 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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