Diploma in Disc and Drum Brakes for Heavy Vehicles
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in disc and drum brakes for heavy vehicles, structured in 8 modules covering braking physics, drum and disc brakes, friction materials, actuation systems, thermal behaviour and testing, with UNECE R13, UNECE R90 and Ansys Mechanical, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Disc and Drum Brakes for Heavy Vehicles — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 24 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
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 physics of braking in heavy vehicles.
Analyse how drum brakes work.
Analyse how disc brakes work.
Select suitable friction materials.
Diagnose pneumatic and hydraulic actuation systems.
Model the thermal behaviour of brakes.
Inspect, maintain and test brake systems.
Who it's for
- Braking system engineers.
- Heavy vehicle brake technicians.
- Friction material engineers.
- Vehicle roadworthiness inspectors.
- Test engineers working on brakes and chassis.
- Commercial vehicle workshop managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the truck and bus sector.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation R13 (braking of heavy vehicles and trailers)
- UNECE Regulation R90 (replacement brake linings and discs)
- ISO 3450 (braking systems of earth-moving machinery)
- SAE J2522 (dynamometer friction performance test)
- ISO 4925 (non-petroleum brake fluids)
- Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness tests)
- ISO 26867 (friction material dynamometer testing)
- Ansys Mechanical
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Simcenter Amesim
- HBK nCode
8 modules
1.1Braking energy and power1.2Brake force distribution between axles1.3Service, emergency and parking brakes1.4UNECE R13 requirements1.5Machinery brakes to ISO 34501.6Pneumatic and hydraulic brakes1.7Auxiliary retarders1.8Stopping distances1.9Roadworthiness inspection regulations1.10Workshop: brake force distribution of a three-axle truck
2.1Leading and trailing shoes2.2S-cam and wedge actuation2.3Brake factor2.4Automatic slack adjusters2.5Linings and their attachment2.6Drum wear and ovality2.7Heating and fade2.8Advantages in dirty environments2.9Maintenance and adjustment2.10Practical exercise: adjustment of an S-cam brake
3.1Floating and fixed callipers3.2Ventilated discs3.3Pads and materials3.4Temperature distribution3.5Thermal cracking in discs3.6Automatic adjustment3.7Disc brakes on trailers3.8Disc versus drum comparison3.9Maintenance3.10Case study: diagnosis of disc cracking
4.1Composition of linings and pads4.2Organic, semi-metallic and sintered materials4.3Friction coefficient and stability4.4Wear and particle emissions4.5Type approval to UNECE R904.6SAE J2522 testing4.7Copper-free materials4.8Wet multi-disc brakes4.9Selection by application4.10Lab: friction test on a dynamometer
5.1Dual-circuit pneumatic systems5.2Compressors and air dryers5.3Brake chambers and spring brakes5.4Relay and load-sensing valves5.5High-pressure hydraulic brakes5.6Brake fluids to ISO 49255.7Electronic braking systems (EBS)5.8Anti-lock braking and stability control5.9Electronic diagnostics5.10Practical exercise: diagnosis of a pneumatic circuit
6.1Thermal models of brakes6.2Prolonged descents6.3Fade and recovery6.4Finite element simulation6.5Brake noise and vibration6.6Disc thickness variation vibration6.7In-service temperature control6.8Influence of the retarder6.9Type I and Type II tests6.10Case study: Ansys thermal model of a mountain pass descent
7.1Technical inspection of brakes7.2Roller brake testers7.3Wear measurement7.4Component replacement7.5Track testing7.6Dynamometer testing7.7Fleet management and brakes7.8Analysis of brake-related accidents7.9Driver training7.10Workshop: roller brake tester test
8.1Vehicle definition8.2Braking requirements8.3Choice of disc or drum8.4Friction material8.5Actuation system8.6Thermal analysis8.7Test plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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 you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Mechanical, MATLAB/Simulink, Simcenter Amesim and HBK nCode, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for dynamometer friction tests, thermal modelling of brakes on descents and roller brake tester inspection. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: UNECE Regulation R13, UNECE Regulation R90, ISO 3450, SAE J2522, ISO 4925, Directive 2014/45/EU, ISO 26867.
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.
- 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.
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, MATLAB/Simulink, Simcenter Amesim and HBK nCode, 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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