Lateral rocking and mechanical grip course
Online course of 300 hours in lateral roll and mechanical grip. 6 modules covering roll mechanics, mechanical and tyre grip, anti-roll bars, springs and dampers, and car balance and setup, with ISO 8855, ISO 4138, OptimumG OptimumDynamics and 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
Calculate lateral load transfer and roll gradient.
Explain the relationship between load transfer and mechanical grip.
Size and adjust anti-roll bars.
Set up springs and dampers to control roll.
Analyse car balance in the different phases of a corner.
Interpret damper histograms and tyre temperatures.
Propose justified stiffness distributions.
Who it's for
- Vehicle dynamics engineers.
- Suspension engineers.
- Track engineers looking to sharpen their setup decisions.
- Damper technicians.
- Data analysts in motor sport.
- Simulation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter competition motor sport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- ISO 4138 (steady-state circular driving)
- SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
- ISO 7401 (lateral transient response)
- ISO 3888-2 (obstacle avoidance manoeuvre)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition cars)
- OptimumG OptimumDynamics
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- MATLAB
- Pi Toolbox
6 modules
1.1Roll axis and roll centres1.2Roll moment and lever arm1.3Elastic and geometric lateral load transfer1.4Roll stiffness of each axle1.5Roll gradient in degrees per g1.6Influence of centre of gravity height1.7Unsprung mass and direct transfer1.8Effect of roll on camber1.9Roll in vehicles without suspension1.10Practical: calculating the roll gradient
2.1Definition of mechanical versus aerodynamic grip2.2Load sensitivity and loss of grip2.3Load transfer distribution and car balance2.4Dynamic camber and contact patch2.5Inflation pressure and sidewall stiffness2.6Compound operating temperature2.7Optimum slip angle2.8Combined forces in the friction circle2.9Influence of the track surface2.10Lab: lateral force curves with Pacejka
3.1Bar types: torsion, blade and tubular3.2Calculating anti-roll bar stiffness3.3Anti-roll bar motion ratio3.4Drop links and adjustment points3.5Front and rear stiffness distribution3.6Effect on understeer and oversteer3.7Cockpit-adjustable bars3.8Disconnecting bars in the wet3.9Unwanted preload and how to detect it3.10Workshop: adjusting anti-roll bars on a single-seater
4.1Recommended ride frequencies4.2Wheel rate and motion ratio4.3High-speed and low-speed damping4.4Control of transient roll4.5Third spring or heave spring4.6Inerters and their historical use4.7Progressive bump stops4.8Damper velocity histogram4.9Rebound adjustment for kerbs4.10Case study: reading damper histograms
5.1Roll stiffness distribution5.2Balance adjustment in slow corners5.3Balance adjustment in fast corners5.4Interaction with the differential5.5Interaction with aerodynamics5.6Reading the understeer gradient5.7Tyre temperatures by zone5.8Setup sheet and change log5.9Common mistakes when stiffening the car5.10Case study: correcting mid-corner oversteer
6.1Selection of the vehicle and baseline data6.2Lateral load transfer model6.3Calculation of current stiffnesses6.4Proposal of a new distribution6.5Simulation and comparison6.6On-track validation plan6.7Associated damper adjustment6.8Final stiffness and anti-roll bar sheet6.9Report 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 OptimumG OptimumDynamics, MoTeC i2 Pro, MATLAB and Pi Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for roll stiffness calculation, anti-roll bar adjustment and reading damper histograms. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 8855; ISO 4138; SAE J670; ISO 7401; ISO 3888-2; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code.
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.
- 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 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 OptimumG OptimumDynamics, MoTeC i2 Pro, MATLAB and Pi Toolbox, 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 a computer able to run the programme software, an internet connection 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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