Postgraduate Diploma in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming. 8 modules covering ISO 12215-5 (design pressures and scantlings for small craft), HSC Code 2000 and Maxsurf. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Explain the physics of planing and dynamic lift.
Predict planing resistance using Savitsky's method.
Evaluate the behaviour in waves of planing craft.
Characterise slamming phenomena and their impact pressures.
Calculate design loads according to ISO 12215-5 and class rules.
Simulate planing and wave impact numerically.
Propose mitigation measures and validate them with real measurements.
Who it's for
- Planing hydrodynamics engineer who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Fast craft designer who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Composite structures engineer who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Naval CFD engineer who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Sea trials engineer who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Classification society surveyor who wants to specialise in Planing Craft Hydrodynamics and Slamming.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter recreational and competitive boating.
What you'll work with
- ISO 12215-5 (design pressures and scantlings for small craft)
- HSC Code 2000
- DNV Rules for High Speed and Light Craft (HSLC)
- ABS Guide for High-Speed Craft
- ISO 12217-1 (stability and buoyancy)
- Directive 2013/53/EU (recreational craft)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Displacement, semi-planing and planing regimes1.2Length and volumetric Froude numbers1.3Dynamic and hydrostatic lift1.4Pressure distribution on the bottom1.5Spray root line and spray1.6Deadrise angle and its effect1.7Centre of pressure and trim equilibrium1.8Porpoising and other instabilities1.9Steps and bottom ventilation1.10Practical exercise: regime analysis of a fast patrol boat
2.1Savitsky's 1964 method2.2Savitsky and Brown extension for resistance in waves2.3Systematic series 62, 65 and Delft2.4Blount and Fox method2.5Appendage and spray resistance2.6Effect of trim tabs and interceptors2.7Calculation of the equilibrium trim angle2.8Tank testing of planing models2.9Limitations of empirical methods2.10Workshop: Savitsky spreadsheet for a motorboat
3.1Vertical motions in irregular seas3.2Fridsma method and systematic tests3.3Vertical accelerations at the centre of gravity and at the bow3.4Savitsky-Brown formulae for accelerations3.5Influence of deadrise and loading3.6Effect of speed on response3.7Statistics of acceleration peaks3.8Sustainable speed limits3.9Comparison of hull forms3.10Practical exercise: estimating design accelerations at the bow
4.1Physics of impact on V-shaped hulls4.2Wagner theory and extensions4.3Peak impact pressures4.4Slamming loads on bottom and sides4.5Probability and frequency of impacts4.6Dynamic structural response4.7Effects on crew and passengers4.8Shock exposure according to ISO 2631-54.9Risk of lower back injury for crew4.10Case study: impact profile of a rescue boat
5.1ISO 12215-5 standard for craft under 24 m5.2DNV HSLC high-speed rules5.3IMO HSC Code 20005.4Design vertical acceleration ncg5.5Area reduction factors5.6Design pressures on bottom, side and deck5.7Scantlings in aluminium and composite5.8Comparison between rules5.9Verification of frames and longitudinals5.10Workshop: bottom scantlings to ISO 12215-5
6.1CFD of planing hulls with VOF6.2Overset meshes for dynamic trim6.3Simulation of free-fall wedges6.4Simulation in regular and irregular waves6.52D+t and strip theory models for planing6.6Validation against Fridsma data6.7Hydroelasticity in impacts6.8Computational cost and strategies6.9Commercial and open-source tools6.10Laboratory: CFD simulation of a free-falling wedge
7.1Shape design to reduce impacts7.2Variable deadrise and deep-V hulls7.3Suspended and damped seats7.4Active trim control with interceptors7.5Instrumentation with accelerometers and strain gauges7.6Sea trials and measurement protocols7.7Post-processing of peaks and filtering7.8Operational speed guidelines at sea7.9Lessons from high-speed boat accidents7.10Case study: measurement campaign on a pilot boat
8.1Definition of mission and principal dimensions8.2Resistance and trim prediction8.3Analysis of behaviour in waves8.4Calculation of impact loads8.5Scantlings to ISO 12215-58.6Numerical verification simulation8.7Proposed mitigation measures8.8Design conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Maxsurf, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ANSYS LS-DYNA, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real towing tank procedures with planing models, full-scale vertical acceleration measurements, and slamming simulation with CFD. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physics of planing and dynamic lift.
Predict planing resistance using Savitsky's method.
Evaluate the behaviour in waves of planing craft.
Characterise slamming phenomena and their impact pressures.
Calculate design loads according to ISO 12215-5 and class rules.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 comprises 800 hours in total over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Maxsurf, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ANSYS LS-DYNA and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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