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Course in NATM and TBM Construction Methods

Online course of 300 hours in NATM and TBM construction methods, structured in 6 modules covering NATM principles and execution, TBM types and selection, TBM tunnelling and settlement risk, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration300 hours · 3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Apply the principles of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method.

02

Control tunnel construction through monitoring.

03

Select the type of TBM according to the ground.

04

Plan TBM tunnelling operations.

05

Assess geotechnical risks and settlement.

06

Compare NATM and TBM in terms of cost and schedule.

07

Justify the construction method for a tunnel.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Tunnel engineers.
  • TBM production managers.
  • Geotechnical monitoring technicians.
  • Geotechnical engineers.
  • NATM heading supervisors.
  • Underground works consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter underground construction.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EN 14487-1 (sprayed concrete: definitions, specifications and conformity)
  • EN 16191 (tunnelling machinery: safety requirements)
  • EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7: geotechnical design)
  • EN 14490 (execution of special geotechnical works: soil nailing)
  • EN 12715 (execution of special geotechnical works: grouting)
  • ÖGG Guideline for the Geotechnical Design of Underground Structures (Austrian guideline for conventional tunnelling)
  • Plaxis 3D
  • Rocscience RS3
  • FLAC3D
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Principles of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method
  2. 1.2Ground behaviour and controlled deformation
  3. 1.3Ground behaviour classifications
  4. 1.4Partial excavation sequences
  5. 1.5Top heading and bench
  6. 1.6Early-age sprayed concrete
  7. 1.7Rock bolts and steel arches
  8. 1.8Pipe roof umbrellas
  9. 1.9Observational design
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: definition of excavation classes
  1. 2.1Excavation cycle
  2. 2.2Controlled blasting and roadheaders
  3. 2.3Wet-mix spraying
  4. 2.4Shotcrete thickness control
  5. 2.5Convergence monitoring
  6. 2.6Alert and action levels
  7. 2.7Water management at the face
  8. 2.8Final lining
  9. 2.9Safety at the face
  10. 2.10Case study: managing an overbreak
  1. 3.1Open gripper hard rock TBMs
  2. 3.2Double shield TBMs
  3. 3.3Earth pressure balance (EPB) shields
  4. 3.4Slurry shields
  5. 3.5Mixed-mode TBMs
  6. 3.6Cutting tools and wear
  7. 3.7Selection criteria
  8. 3.8Performance curves
  9. 3.9Experience in Spain
  10. 3.10Lab: TBM selection according to ground conditions
  1. 4.1Assembly and launch
  2. 4.2Face support pressure
  3. 4.3Soil conditioning
  4. 4.4Precast segments
  5. 4.5Universal rings
  6. 4.6Annular gap grouting
  7. 4.7Logistics and muck removal
  8. 4.8Guidance and surveying
  9. 4.9TBM maintenance
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: calculation of face pressure for an EPB
  1. 5.1Surface settlement
  2. 5.2Impact on buildings
  3. 5.3Urban instrumentation
  4. 5.4Ground treatment
  5. 5.5TBM entrapment
  6. 5.6Collapses in NATM
  7. 5.7Geotechnical risk management
  8. 5.8Comparison of costs and schedules
  9. 5.9Criteria for choosing NATM or TBM
  10. 5.10Case study: settlement in an urban metro
  1. 6.1Description of the tunnel
  2. 6.2Geotechnical constraints
  3. 6.3NATM analysis
  4. 6.4TBM analysis
  5. 6.5Comparison of alternatives
  6. 6.6Chosen method and justification
  7. 6.7Monitoring plan
  8. 6.8Works planning
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online 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 the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is Plaxis 3D, Rocscience RS3, FLAC3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures such as convergence monitoring, face support pressure calculation and settlement analysis in urban environments. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: EN 14487-1, EN 16191, EN 1997-1, EN 14490, EN 12715, ÖGG Guideline for the Geotechnical Design of Underground Structures.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of EN 14487-1, EN 16191 and EN 1997-1 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Plaxis 3D, Rocscience RS3, FLAC3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the construction method study for a tunnel, comparing NATM and TBM alternatives and justifying the chosen method with a monitoring plan, 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.

Characterise the tunnel
Describe the tunnel and its geotechnical constraints.
Analyse the NATM option
Define excavation classes, support and sequence for NATM.
Analyse the TBM option
Select the TBM type and calculate face support pressure.
Compare and choose
Compare costs, schedules and settlement risk to justify the method.
Final project
A justified construction method with monitoring plan and works planning, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Tunnel engineerTBM production managerGeotechnical monitoring technicianGeotechnical engineerNATM heading supervisorUnderground works consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification 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.

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FAQ

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 Plaxis 3D, Rocscience RS3, FLAC3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D, 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 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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