Course in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing
Online 300-hour course in ethics in material fatigue testing. 6 modules covering ASTM E466 (constant-amplitude axial fatigue testing of metals), ASTM E739 (statistical analysis of fatigue data) and ANSYS nCode DesignLife. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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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.
What you will be able to do
Understand the technical fundamentals of material fatigue and its testing.
Apply rigorous statistical methods to the treatment of fatigue data.
Identify malpractices such as the selection or manipulation of specimens and results.
Analyse the engineer's responsibility in certification processes.
Evaluate the ethical implications of fatigue in critical defence systems.
Manage the safety and sustainability of the testing laboratory.
Draft an ethical protocol for a fatigue testing campaign.
Who it's for
- Fatigue test engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Laboratory quality manager who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Structural integrity engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Materials certification technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Airworthiness specialist who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Materials mechanics researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics in Material Fatigue Testing.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the aerospace industry.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E466 (constant-amplitude axial fatigue testing of metals)
- ASTM E739 (statistical analysis of fatigue data)
- ISO 12107 (statistical methods for fatigue data analysis)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
- ASTM D3479 (tension-tension fatigue of composites)
- EN 9100 (aerospace and defence quality management)
- Ley 31/1995 (occupational risk prevention)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Load cycles, amplitude and the R-ratio1.2S-N curves and the fatigue limit1.3Low- and high-cycle fatigue1.4Fracture mechanics and Paris' law1.5Axial fatigue testing according to ASTM E4661.6Crack propagation according to ASTM E6471.7Effect of notches, surface finish and residual stresses1.8Fatigue in welded joints1.9Damage tolerance in aerospace structures1.10Laboratory: critical reading of an S-N curve
2.1Intrinsic scatter of fatigue results2.2Statistical planning according to ISO 121072.3Sample size and confidence level2.4Handling of interrupted tests (runouts)2.5Unjustified removal of outliers2.6Extrapolation beyond the tested range2.7Measurement uncertainty reports2.8Reproducibility between laboratories2.9Raw data, metadata and traceability2.10Practice: detecting manipulation in a data set
3.1Testing as the basis for component certification3.2Laboratory accreditation according to ISO/IEC 170253.3Laboratory independence from the client3.4Safety factors and design margins3.5Consequences of fatigue failures: the Comet and Aloha cases3.6Commercial pressure and delivery deadlines3.7Technical sign-off and professional responsibility3.8Recording deviations from procedure3.9Communicating unfavourable results3.10Case study: the Comet accident as an ethical dilemma
4.1Load spectra for military vehicles and aircraft4.2Service life and life extension of platforms4.3Aircraft structural integrity programmes (ASIP)4.4Testing of legacy components and obsolescence4.5Pressure to keep fleets operational4.6Crew safety versus availability4.7Confidentiality of defence fatigue data4.8University–defence collaboration in testing4.9Transparency towards airworthiness authorities4.10Case study: life extension of a helicopter
5.1Risks of servo-hydraulic machines5.2Protection against fragment projection5.3Training and authorisation of operators5.4Energy consumption of long-duration tests5.5Management of specimens and metal waste5.6Reusing data to reduce testing5.7Numerical simulation as a complement5.8Staff wellbeing during extended shifts5.9Maintenance and calibration plan5.10Workshop: risk assessment of a fatigue machine
6.1Selection of material and application6.2Design of the test plan6.3Statistical and acceptance criteria6.4Data custody procedure6.5Management of adverse results6.6Laboratory safety measures6.7Internal audit plan6.8Team code of conduct6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS nCode DesignLife, MATLAB, Minitab, Python (SciPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures from servo-hydraulic fatigue test rigs, statistical analysis of S-N curves and laboratory data integrity audits. Assessment is continuous 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.
Understand the technical fundamentals of material fatigue and its testing.
Apply rigorous statistical methods to the treatment of fatigue data.
Identify malpractices such as the selection or manipulation of specimens and results.
Analyse the engineer's responsibility in certification processes.
Evaluate the ethical implications of fatigue in critical defence systems.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is 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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses ANSYS nCode DesignLife, MATLAB, Minitab and Python (SciPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma of your own upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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