Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation Course
Online 300-hour course in instrumentation for wave tank testing. 6 modules covering ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.1 Seakeeping Experiments, ITTC 7.5-02-07-03.1 Floating Offshore Platform Experiments and NI LabVIEW. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Learn about wave testing facilities and how they operate.
Select suitable sensors for waves, motions and loads.
Calibrate instruments following recognised procedures.
Design reliable data acquisition systems.
Process recordings and obtain transfer functions.
Estimate the measurement uncertainty of a test.
Plan the complete instrumentation of a tank test.
Who it's for
- Laboratory instrumentation technician who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Hydrodynamic test engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Wave tank manager who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Data acquisition engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Ocean engineering researcher who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Laboratory quality engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter towing tanks and experimental basins.
What you'll work with
- ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.1 Seakeeping Experiments
- ITTC 7.5-02-07-03.1 Floating Offshore Platform Experiments
- ITTC 7.5-01-03-01 Uncertainty Analysis — Instrument Calibration
- ITTC 7.5-02-07-01.1 Laboratory Modelling of Waves
- JCGM 100:2008 Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)
- ISO/IEC 17025 Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
- ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.3 Experiments on Rarely Occurring Events
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Wave tanks, channels and multidirectional basins1.2Flap and piston wave generators1.3Absorbing beaches and active absorption1.4Regular, irregular and focused waves1.5JONSWAP and Pierson-Moskowitz spectra1.6Froude scaling and scale effects1.7Wave calibration without a model1.8Current and wind in the basin1.9Limitations of tank size1.10Practical case: generating a JONSWAP sea in the tank
2.1Resistive and capacitive wave probes2.2Ultrasonic and radar probes2.3Optical motion capture systems2.4Inertial measurement units (IMU)2.5Accelerometers and gyroscopes2.6Static and dynamic calibration2.7Sensor synchronisation2.8Positioning and effect on the flow2.9Systematic errors and drift2.10Workshop: calibrating a wave probe
3.1Load cells and multicomponent dynamometers3.2Strain gauges on models3.3Impact pressure transducers3.4Stress measurement in mooring lines3.5Propeller and rudder dynamometers3.6Segmented models with balances3.7Sensor frequency response3.8Temperature compensation3.9Water protection for sensors3.10Practical: assembling a strain gauge bridge
4.1Signal conditioning and amplification4.2Sampling frequency and the Nyquist theorem4.3Anti-aliasing filters and their configuration4.4Analogue-to-digital conversion and resolution4.5Cabling, noise and earthing4.6Wireless telemetry on free-running models4.7Acquisition and control software4.8Data management and format4.9Test plan and quality control4.10Laboratory: acquisition chain for a wave test
5.1Statistical analysis of time series5.2Spectra and transfer functions (RAO)5.3Extreme value analysis5.4Filtering and trend removal5.5Impact peak detection5.6Measurement uncertainty according to ITTC5.7Test repeatability5.8Extrapolation to full scale5.9Presentation of results5.10Practical case: pitch RAO from recordings
6.1Definition of objective and model6.2Sensor selection and ranges6.3Acquisition chain design6.4Calibration plan6.5Wave test matrix6.6Data processing and RAO6.7Uncertainty analysis6.8Technical test report6.9Written report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NI LabVIEW, Qualisys Track Manager, MATLAB, DASYLab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for calibrating wave probes and load cells, seakeeping testing with a free-running model, and impact pressure measurement on a model. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Learn about wave testing facilities and how they operate.
Select suitable sensors for waves, motions and loads.
Calibrate instruments following recognised procedures.
Design reliable data acquisition systems.
Process recordings and obtain transfer functions.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses NI LabVIEW, Qualisys Track Manager, MATLAB and DASYLab. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is SEIUM's own training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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