Diploma in Thermomechanical Design of Vessels and Cores
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in thermomechanical design of reactor vessels and cores: 8 modules covering the reactor pressure vessel, ASME III stress analysis, thermal transients, fracture mechanics, internals, core thermal design and advanced reactor vessels, 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
Understand the design of the reactor pressure vessel.
Apply ASME III stress analysis.
Assess thermal transients and fatigue.
Analyse vessel integrity using fracture mechanics.
Design internals for hydraulic and seismic loads.
Carry out the thermal design of the core.
Evaluate the challenges of vessels for advanced reactors.
Who it's for
- Nuclear component design engineers.
- Structural integrity analysts working on pressure boundary components.
- Thermal-hydraulics engineers.
- Fracture mechanics specialists.
- Licensing engineers preparing design and safety documentation.
- Advanced reactor engineers working on SMR and Generation IV designs.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear engineering.
What you'll work with
- ASME BPVC Section III Division 1 Subsection NB (Class 1 nuclear components)
- ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection of nuclear components)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix G (fracture toughness requirements)
- 10 CFR 50.61 (pressurised thermal shock rule)
- NUREG/CR-6909 (environmental effects on fatigue)
- ASME BPVC Section III Division 5 (high-temperature reactors)
- RCC-M (design and construction rules for PWR mechanical components)
- Ansys Mechanical
- Abaqus
- FAVOR
- RELAP5
- COBRA-TF
8 modules
1.1Functions of the vessel1.2SA-508 steels1.3Geometry and wall thicknesses1.4Nozzles1.5Closure head and studs1.6Welds1.7Stainless steel cladding1.8Penetrations1.9Supports1.10Practical: minimum thickness according to NB-3324
2.1Stress classification2.2Primary, secondary and peak stresses2.3Service Levels A to D2.4Stress linearisation2.5Allowable stress intensity2.6Fatigue according to NB-32002.7Ratcheting2.8Thermal analysis2.9Analysis documentation2.10Case study: linearisation in a nozzle
3.1Start-ups and shutdowns3.2Pressurised thermal shock3.3Safety injection3.4Thermal stratification3.5Through-wall gradients3.6Transient finite element analysis3.7Environmental fatigue NUREG/CR-69093.8Design cycles3.9Transient monitoring3.10Lab: thermal transient in a nozzle
4.110 CFR 50 Appendix G4.2Pressure-temperature curves4.3KIc toughness4.4RTNDT temperature4.5Postulated flaws4.6PTS rule of 10 CFR 50.614.7The FAVOR code4.8ASME XI in-service inspection4.9Flaw evaluation4.10Workshop: pressure-temperature curves
5.1Core barrel5.2Lower core support plate5.3Upper core plate5.4Core baffle5.5Hydraulic loads5.6Flow-induced vibration5.7Seismic loads5.8Irradiation effects5.9Swelling5.10Case study: flow-induced vibration
6.1Power distribution6.2Hot channel6.3Core flow rate6.4Pressure drop6.5Bypass flow6.6Subchannel mixing6.7DNBR ratio6.8Cladding temperature6.9Thermal margins6.10Practical: hot channel calculation
7.1Integral modular reactors7.2High temperature in ASME III Division 57.3Creep design7.4Fast reactors7.5High-temperature reactors7.6Manufacture of large forgings7.7Emerging standards7.8Licensing7.9Qualification testing7.10Case study: vessel of an integral modular reactor
8.1Design requirements8.2Material selection8.3Vessel sizing8.4Stress analysis8.5Transient analysis8.6Fracture integrity8.7Thermal design of the core8.8Verification of criteria8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus, FAVOR, RELAP5 and COBRA-TF, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for ASME III stress analysis, pressurised thermal shock analysis and core thermal-hydraulic calculations. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASME BPVC Section III Division 1 Subsection NB, ASME BPVC Section XI, 10 CFR 50 Appendix G, 10 CFR 50.61, NUREG/CR-6909, ASME BPVC Section III Division 5, RCC-M.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus, FAVOR, RELAP5 and COBRA-TF, 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 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.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the 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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