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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Rotor Simulation with CFD

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in rotor simulation with CFD. 8 modules covering rotor aerodynamics, low-cost reference models, meshing, physical and numerical models, verification and validation to ASME V&V 20 and AIAA G-077-1998, and aeroelastic coupling, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Set up the aerodynamic calculation of a rotor according to the flight regime.

02

Use low-cost models as a reference to bound CFD results.

03

Generate geometries and meshes suitable for moving rotors.

04

Select appropriate turbulence models and numerical schemes.

05

Post-process loads, wakes and performance from the simulations.

06

Verify and validate results against experimental data.

07

Couple the fluid calculation with structural models in aeroelastic analyses.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Rotor CFD engineers who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Helicopter aerodynamics engineers who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Aeroelastic simulation analysts who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Numerical methods engineers who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Verification and validation engineers who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Rotary-wing aerodynamics researchers who want to specialise in rotor simulation with CFD.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the helicopter industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in CFD)
  • AIAA G-077-1998 (guide for the verification and validation of CFD)
  • CS-29 (large rotorcraft)
  • NASA-STD-7009 (standard for models and simulations)
  • CS-27 (small rotorcraft)
  • AC 29-2C (certification of transport category rotorcraft)
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • Simcenter STAR-CCM+
  • OpenFOAM
  • CAMRAD II
  • ParaView
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Aerodynamic field of a rotor in flight
  2. 1.2The helical wake and its importance
  3. 1.3Axial, hover and forward flight
  4. 1.4Dimensionless numbers of the problem
  5. 1.5Quantities of interest: thrust, torque and power
  6. 1.6Available calculation methods
  7. 1.7When a three-dimensional calculation is justified
  8. 1.8Scope and cost of a simulation campaign
  9. 1.9Success criteria for the study
  10. 1.10Workshop: defining the calculation problem
  1. 2.1Momentum theory
  2. 2.2Blade element theory
  3. 2.3Combined models
  4. 2.4Prescribed and free wake methods
  5. 2.5Panel methods
  6. 2.6Validity and limits of each model
  7. 2.7Use as a check on the three-dimensional calculation
  8. 2.8Calculation times compared
  9. 2.9Consistency between models
  10. 2.10Practical: reference calculation of a rotor
  1. 3.1Preparing the blade geometry
  2. 3.2Tip, root and attachment
  3. 3.3Computational domain and boundary conditions
  4. 3.4Structured and unstructured meshes
  5. 3.5Boundary layer and wall resolution
  6. 3.6Wake refinement
  7. 3.7Sliding and overset meshes
  8. 3.8Mesh quality and its indicators
  9. 3.9Mesh independence
  10. 3.10Practical: generating and verifying a mesh
  1. 4.1Equations solved and their assumptions
  2. 4.2Turbulence models and how to choose them
  3. 4.3Laminar-turbulent transition
  4. 4.4Compressibility at the blade tip
  5. 4.5Numerical schemes and order
  6. 4.6Time step and convergence
  7. 4.7Rotation: moving reference frame and sliding mesh
  8. 4.8Actuator disc models
  9. 4.9Convergence criteria
  10. 4.10Practical: setting up a case
  1. 5.1Hover
  2. 5.2Forward flight and asymmetry
  3. 5.3Blade-vortex interaction
  4. 5.4Rotor-fuselage interference
  5. 5.5The tail rotor and its interaction
  6. 5.6Extracting loads per blade
  7. 5.7Pressure and velocity fields
  8. 5.8Noise: input quantities
  9. 5.9Presenting results
  10. 5.10Practical: post-processing a complete case
  1. 6.1Numerical verification of the calculation
  2. 6.2Discretisation uncertainty
  3. 6.3Reference experimental data
  4. 6.4Comparison with wind tunnel tests
  5. 6.5Differences between model and reality
  6. 6.6Sensitivity analysis
  7. 6.7Documenting the assumptions
  8. 6.8Honesty in interpretation
  9. 6.9Validation report
  10. 6.10Practical: validation against an experimental case
  1. 7.1Blade deformation and its effect
  2. 7.2Fluid-structure coupling
  3. 7.3Flexible blade models
  4. 7.4Dynamic loads and their extraction
  5. 7.5Coupling with rotor dynamics
  6. 7.6Coupling with acoustic calculation
  7. 7.7Computational cost of coupling
  8. 7.8Simplification strategies
  9. 7.9Interpreting coupled results
  10. 7.10Practical: simplified coupled case
  1. 8.1Planning a simulation campaign
  2. 8.2Computing resources required
  3. 8.3Data and version management
  4. 8.4Case automation
  5. 8.5Process quality control
  6. 8.6Communicating results to design
  7. 8.7Design decisions based on the calculation
  8. 8.8Common mistakes and how to prevent them
  9. 8.9Final documentation
  10. 8.10Final project: complete simulation campaign for a rotor
Methodology, software & labs

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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, CAMRAD II and ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for comparison with wind tunnel data, mesh independence studies and validation against rotor bench tests. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ASME V&V 20, AIAA G-077-1998, CS-29, NASA-STD-7009, CS-27 and AC 29-2C.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASME V&V 20, AIAA G-077-1998 and CS-29 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, CAMRAD II and ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete simulation campaign for a rotor, from set-up to validation and documentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Define the calculation problem
Set out the flight regime, quantities of interest, scope and success criteria for the rotor study.
Low-cost reference calculation
Calculate the rotor with momentum and blade element models to bound the CFD results.
Mesh and case set-up
Generate and verify the mesh and configure the physical and numerical models of the case.
Validation against experiment
Post-process loads and wakes and validate the results against an experimental case.
Final project
Complete simulation campaign for a rotor, documented and reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Rotor CFD engineerHelicopter aerodynamics engineerAeroelastic simulation analystNumerical methods engineerVerification and validation engineerRotary-wing aerodynamics researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • An 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.

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FAQ

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 will work with ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, CAMRAD II and ParaView. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where 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 (a university degree is not required), an internet connection and a computer capable of running 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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