Course in Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC)
Online course of 300 hours in accelerated bridge construction (ABC), with 6 modules covering ABC strategy and feasibility, prefabricated bridge elements, connections and joints, moving complete structures with SPMT, foundations and 4D planning, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Assess the technical and economic feasibility of accelerated construction solutions.
Select prefabricated deck, pier and abutment elements.
Design connections and joints between prefabricated elements using durability criteria.
Plan the move of complete structures using self-propelled modular transporters.
Coordinate foundations and construction phases to minimise traffic disruption.
Analyse structural behaviour during temporary phases.
Prepare an ABC bridge project with its construction schedule.
Who it's for
- Precast bridge engineers who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Road infrastructure site managers who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Planners of works involving traffic closures who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Structural connection designers who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Construction methods engineers who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Heavy lifting and transport technicians who want to specialise in accelerated bridge construction (ABC).
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into bridge construction.
What you'll work with
- AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (US bridge design code)
- AASHTO Guide Specifications for Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC design and construction guidance)
- EN 15050 (precast concrete products: bridge elements)
- EN 13369 (common rules for precast concrete products)
- EN 1992-2 (concrete bridges)
- EN 1090-2 (execution of steel structures)
- IAP-11 (actions on road bridges)
- MIDAS Civil
- CSiBridge
- Tekla Structures
- Primavera P6
- Autodesk Civil 3D
6 modules
1.1. Reducing traffic closures as an objective1.2. FHWA ABC decision matrix1.3. User costs and mobility delays1.4. Worker safety in work zones1.5. Classifying techniques by disruption time1.6. Prefabrication versus cast-in-place construction1.7. Scheduling and interface risks1.8. Contracting and project delivery models1.9. Experience in the United States and Europe1.10. Case study: ABC decision for an overpass
2.1. Prestressed precast beams2.2. Full-depth precast deck panels2.3. Precast pier caps and piers2.4. Precast abutments and walls2.5. Adjacent beam decks2.6. Manufacturing tolerances and dimensional control2.7. Transporting large elements2.8. Crane lifting and manoeuvre planning2.9. Quality control at the plant2.10. Workshop: lifting plan for deck beams
3.1. Ultra-high-performance concrete joints3.2. Grouted duct connections3.3. Mechanical reinforcement couplers3.4. Longitudinal joints between beams3.5. Pier-to-cap connection in seismic zones3.6. Continuity over intermediate supports3.7. Durability and watertightness of joints3.8. Full-scale connection testing3.9. Inspection of joints in service3.10. Practical: detailing a UHPC joint between slabs
4.1. Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT)4.2. Lateral sliding of decks4.3. Incremental launching of decks4.4. PTFE sliding systems4.5. Hydraulic jacks and displacement control4.6. Structural analysis during the move4.7. Temporary pre-assembly areas4.8. Temporary supports and foundations4.9. Instrumentation during the manoeuvre4.10. Case study: deck replacement over a weekend
5.1. GRS-IBS reinforced soil abutments5.2. Rapid-installation piles and micropiles5.3. Precast footings and pile caps5.4. Precast approach slabs5.5. 4D BIM scheduling5.6. Managing traffic closures and diversions5.7. Coordinating affected utilities5.8. Contingency plans for delays5.9. Life-cycle cost of ABC solutions5.10. Workshop: 4D planning of an overnight replacement
6.1. Selecting the case and traffic constraints6.2. Applying the decision matrix6.3. Choosing the construction technique6.4. Designing the prefabricated elements6.5. Detailing connections and joints6.6. Transport and lifting plan6.7. Works programme and closure window6.8. Cost and risk analysis6.9. Report and presentation6.10. Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 the intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MIDAS Civil, CSiBridge, Tekla Structures, Primavera P6 and Autodesk Civil 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for traffic closure planning with real cases, scale testing of prefabricated connections and simulation of SPMT moves. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, AASHTO Guide Specifications for Accelerated Bridge Construction, EN 15050, EN 13369, EN 1992-2, EN 1090-2, IAP-11.
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
- No previous 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.
Frequently asked questions
The course 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 will work with MIDAS Civil, CSiBridge, Tekla Structures, Primavera P6 and Autodesk Civil 3D. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where 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 previous qualification is required. You need an internet connection, a computer capable of running 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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