Master’s in Bridge and Major Structures Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in bridge and large-structure engineering: 12 modules covering cable-stayed, suspension and arch bridges, incremental construction, bridge aerodynamics, dynamics and vibration control, advanced materials, lightweight roofs and structural monitoring under EN 1991-1-4 and EN 1991-2, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Conceive large structures with efficiency and aesthetic criteria.
Analyse long-span cable-stayed, suspension and arch bridges.
Plan staged construction processes and analyse them by phases.
Assess aerodynamic stability against wind.
Control vibrations with dampers and isolation.
Apply advanced materials and lightweight structures.
Manage monitoring and risk in large projects.
Who it's for
- Long-span bridge engineers designing cable-supported and arch structures.
- Construction engineering specialists planning staged erection processes.
- Structural aerodynamics specialists dealing with wind effects on bridges.
- Structural dynamics engineers working on vibration and seismic response.
- Structural monitoring engineers deploying sensors and digital twins.
- Project directors leading large structural projects.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into transport infrastructure.
What you'll work with
- EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1) (wind actions)
- EN 1991-2 (traffic loads on bridges)
- EN 1993-1-11 (design of structures with tension components)
- EN 1998-2 (Eurocode 8) (seismic design of bridges)
- IAP-11 (actions on road bridges in Spain)
- IAPF-07 (actions on railway bridges in Spain)
- fib Model Code 2010 (model code for concrete structures)
- PTI DC45.1 (recommendations for stay cable design, testing and installation)
- Midas Civil
- SOFiSTiK
- LARSA 4D
- CSiBridge
- Ansys Fluent
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Long-span bridges through history1.2Span limits by structural type1.3Cable-stayed, suspension and arch bridges1.4Long-span roofs1.5Towers and tall structures1.6Creativity in structural conception1.7Structural and material efficiency1.8Bridge design competitions1.9Integrated design teams1.10Case study: analysis of the Millau Viaduct
2.1Stay cable systems2.2Fan, harp and semi-harp arrangements2.3Pylons and towers2.4Stay cables and anchorages2.5Stressing and force adjustment2.6Non-linear behaviour of cables2.7Ernst equivalent modulus2.8Rain-wind induced stay cable vibration2.9Balanced cantilever construction with stays2.10Lab: cable-stayed bridge model in Midas
3.1Main cables and cable spinning3.2Suspension bridge towers3.3Anchorage blocks3.4Hangers and connections3.5Aerodynamic box girder decks3.6Deflection theory3.7Construction sequence3.8Stiffness under asymmetric loads3.9Cable dehumidification3.10Practical exercise: cable shape under permanent load
4.1Antifunicular arch shape4.2Long-span concrete arches4.3Steel and concrete-filled tube arches4.4Tied bowstring arches4.5In-plane and out-of-plane buckling4.6Cantilever construction4.7Falsework and its removal4.8Spandrels and piers on arches4.9Historic masonry arches4.10Workshop: preliminary design of a 200 m arch
5.1Balanced cantilevers with form travellers5.2Incremental launching of decks5.3Self-launching full-span movable scaffolding5.4Match-cast precast segments5.5Lifting large elements5.6Analysis by construction stages5.7Creep and shrinkage across stages5.8Geometric control of pre-cambers5.9Temporary works and their safety5.10Case study: launching a composite viaduct
6.1Characterisation of the design wind6.2Deck flutter6.3Galloping of sections6.4Vortex shedding6.5Buffeting response6.6Wind tunnel testing6.7CFD applied to decks6.8Deflectors and dampers6.9Wind actions according to Eurocode 1-46.10Lab: flutter derivatives with CFD
7.1Pedestrian-induced vibrations7.2Dynamic response to traffic7.3Resonance on high-speed railways7.4Seismic response of large bridges7.5Tuned mass dampers7.6Viscous and friction dampers7.7Base isolation in viaducts7.8Operational modal identification7.9User comfort criteria7.10Practical exercise: TMD for a footbridge
8.1Ultra-high performance concrete8.2High-strength and weathering steels8.3Fibre-reinforced polymers8.4Prestressing strands and stay cables8.5Structural aluminium alloys8.6Glued laminated timber in footbridges8.7Durability for 100 years8.8Fatigue of cables and anchorages8.9Embodied carbon in large structures8.10Workshop: UHPC footbridge
9.1Space frames and trusses9.2Thin concrete shells9.3Tensioned membrane structures9.4Cable nets9.5Form-finding with the force density method9.6Stadium roofs9.7Pneumatic and pressurised structures9.8Timber gridshells9.9Digital fabrication of nodes9.10Case study: stadium roof
10.1Structural health monitoring10.2Strain and acceleration sensors10.3Distributed fibre optics10.4Satellite radar interferometry10.5Managing large volumes of data10.6Damage detection through modal changes10.7Digital twins of large bridges10.8Integration with BIM models10.9Thresholds and alert systems10.10Lab: analysis of real monitoring data
11.1Contract models for large bridges11.2Technical risk management11.3Planning critical schedules11.4Construction cost control11.5Safety when working at height11.6Environmental impact assessment11.7Relations with local communities11.8Supervision and quality control11.9Lessons from historic collapses11.10Practical exercise: risk register for a cable-stayed bridge
12.1Definition of the crossing and its constraints12.2Study of structural type alternatives12.3Justified selection of the solution12.4Global non-linear modelling12.5Analysis of the construction process12.6Dynamic and wind analysis12.7General arrangement drawings12.8Estimated budget and schedule12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Midas Civil, SOFiSTiK, LARSA 4D, CSiBridge and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for wind tunnel aerodynamic testing of decks, modal identification of bridges in service and geometric control during construction. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1), EN 1991-2, EN 1993-1-11, EN 1998-2 (Eurocode 8), IAP-11, IAPF-07, fib Model Code 2010, PTI DC45.1.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Midas Civil, SOFiSTiK, LARSA 4D, CSiBridge and Ansys Fluent, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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