Postgraduate DiplomaAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows

Online 800 h postgraduate diploma in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows. 8 modules covering ISO 8855, SAE J670 and MF-Tyre/MF-Swift. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Postgraduate Diploma in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows — studying from Ireland

Ireland has a modest automotive footprint, with activity centred on component supply, automotive electronics, testing and aftermarket services rather than vehicle assembly. Motorsport and performance engineering are represented by teams, specialist workshops and engineering consultancies, often linked to the Irish motorsport community. Engineers in this area work on powertrain components, vehicle dynamics, sensor integration and testing for both established manufacturers and suppliers. Regulatory oversight for road vehicles comes from national and European type-approval bodies, while industry collaboration is coordinated through automotive and engineering associations.

Fees for Ireland: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Ireland

  • Department of Transport
  • Motor Industry Ireland (MII)
  • Engineers Ireland
  • Motorsport Ireland

Typical roles

  • Automotive Engineer
  • Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
  • Powertrain Test Engineer
  • Motorsport Performance Engineer

Questions from Ireland

Which Irish bodies are relevant for recognising automotive engineering qualifications?

In Ireland, Engineers Ireland is the principal professional body for engineers and runs chartered engineer registration. Automotive vehicle standards and roadworthiness fall under the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Test system. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide. Confirm this with them before enrolling if it matters for your career.

Where do automotive and motorsport engineers typically work in Ireland, and do employers value online study?

Ireland has automotive supply chain and engineering activity, along with motorsport and vehicle-related design roles, though it is a smaller market than larger European countries. Employers usually weigh practical experience and proven skills heavily. An online private qualification can complement a CV, but whether it is valued depends on each employer, and no outcome can be guaranteed.

How do I fit this programme around work and what language level is needed?

Study is fully online and taught in English, so you need a good working command of English for technical reading and written assignments. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so raise that with your employer early.

Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the physical adhesion mechanisms of the tyre.

02

Characterise the viscoelastic behaviour of compounds.

03

Build multi-layer thermal models of the tyre.

04

Fit mechanical models such as the Magic Formula.

05

Identify grip windows by temperature and pressure.

06

Plan tests and analyse tyre data.

07

Integrate thermo-mechanical models into vehicle simulation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Tyre engineer wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Simulation engineer wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Performance engineer wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Elastomer materials engineer wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Tyre data analyst wishing to specialise in Thermo-Mechanical Models and Grip Windows.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8855
  • SAE J670
  • SAE J2047
  • ISO 28580
  • UN ECE R30
  • ISO 4000-1
  • ETRTO Standards Manual
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Adhesion and hysteresis mechanisms
  2. 1.2Asphalt roughness and macrotexture
  3. 1.3Contact patch and pressure
  4. 1.4Longitudinal and lateral slip
  5. 1.5Friction coefficient and load
  6. 1.6Influence of sliding speed
  7. 1.7Effect of water and contamination
  8. 1.8Evolution of track grip
  9. 1.9Measuring asphalt roughness
  10. 1.10Case study: grip analysis on different asphalts
  1. 2.1Viscoelastic behaviour of elastomers
  2. 2.2Storage and loss moduli
  3. 2.3Glass transition temperature
  4. 2.4Time-temperature superposition principle
  5. 2.5Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests
  6. 2.6WLF equation and master curves
  7. 2.7Racing compounds and fillers
  8. 2.8Effect of thermal ageing
  9. 2.9Graining and blistering
  10. 2.10Laboratory: DMA curve analysis
  1. 3.1Heat sources: hysteresis and friction
  2. 3.2Conduction through carcass and tread
  3. 3.3Convection with air and rim
  4. 3.4Brake heat transfer to the rim
  5. 3.5Multi-layer temperature models
  6. 3.6Surface versus internal temperature
  7. 3.7Warm-up on the out-lap
  8. 3.8Cooling under safety car
  9. 3.9Validation with infrared sensors
  10. 3.10Practice: three-layer thermal model
  1. 4.1Pacejka Magic Formula model
  2. 4.2Brush models
  3. 4.3Cornering and longitudinal stiffness
  4. 4.4Self-aligning moment and pneumatic trail
  5. 4.5Effect of camber and pressure
  6. 4.6Relaxation length and transients
  7. 4.7FTire and MF-Swift models
  8. 4.8Parameter fitting with data
  9. 4.9Coupling between thermal and mechanical models
  10. 4.10Workshop: fitting the Magic Formula to test rig data
  1. 5.1Definition of the operating window
  2. 5.2Grip as a function of temperature
  3. 5.3Grip as a function of pressure
  4. 5.4Windows by compound
  5. 5.5Detection in telemetry
  6. 5.6Under- and overheating
  7. 5.7Warm-up strategies
  8. 5.8Thermal balance between front and rear axles
  9. 5.9Influence on car balance
  10. 5.10Case study: window optimisation in qualifying
  1. 6.1Flat-belt test rigs
  2. 6.2Traction and cornering tests
  3. 6.3Competition TPMS sensors
  4. 6.4Thermal imaging cameras on track
  5. 6.5Wear and profile measurement
  6. 6.6Supplier data and confidentiality
  7. 6.7Quality of tyre data
  8. 6.8Test planning
  9. 6.9Correlation between test rig and track
  10. 6.10Practice: analysis of infrared lap data
  1. 7.1Integration into vehicle models
  2. 7.2Driver simulator with thermal model
  3. 7.3Set-up sensitivity to grip
  4. 7.4Stint simulation
  5. 7.5Pressure optimisation
  6. 7.6Impact on lap time
  7. 7.7Real-time models
  8. 7.8Model limitations
  9. 7.9Knowledge management
  10. 7.10Case study: stint simulation with a thermo-mechanical model
  1. 8.1Collection of tyre data
  2. 8.2Fitting the mechanical model
  3. 8.3Building the thermal model
  4. 8.4Coupling both models
  5. 8.5Identification of grip windows
  6. 8.6Validation with track data
  7. 8.7Stint simulation
  8. 8.8Set-up recommendations
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MF-Tyre/MF-Swift, FTire, MATLAB, IPG CarMaker, MoTeC i2 Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for flat-belt test rig trials, on-track infrared measurement and DMA analysis of compounds. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Collection of tyre data

Explain the physical adhesion mechanisms of the tyre.

Fitting the mechanical model

Characterise the viscoelastic behaviour of compounds.

Building the thermal model

Build multi-layer thermal models of the tyre.

Coupling both models

Fit mechanical models such as the Magic Formula.

Identification of grip windows

Identify grip windows by temperature and pressure.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Tyre EngineerVehicle Dynamics EngineerSimulation EngineerPerformance EngineerElastomer Materials EngineerTyre Data Analyst
Admissions & scholarships

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.

FAQ

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 a full-time job.

You work with MF-Tyre/MF-Swift, FTire, MATLAB, IPG CarMaker, MoTeC i2 Pro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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