Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding. 8 modules covering ISO 15614-1 (welding procedure qualification), ISO 9606-1 (welder qualification) and ANSYS Mechanical. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Classify typical structural damage in ships.
Assess the weldability of naval steels and alloys.
Select welding processes suitable for repair.
Design structural repairs in accordance with class rules.
Qualify welding procedures and welders to ISO standards.
Plan inspection using non-destructive testing.
Manage risks in hot work and confined space repairs.
Who it's for
- Welding Engineer (IWE) who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Welding Inspector who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Naval Repair Engineer who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Non-Destructive Testing Technician who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Drydock Superintendent who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Class Surveyor who wants to specialise in Structural Repairs and Critical Welding.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter naval repair.
What you'll work with
- ISO 15614-1 (welding procedure qualification)
- ISO 9606-1 (welder qualification)
- IACS Rec. 47 (quality standard for shipbuilding and ship repair)
- ISO 5817 (quality levels for imperfections in welded joints)
- ISO 3834 (quality requirements for fusion welding)
- ISO 17635 (non-destructive testing of welds)
- ISO 9712 (qualification of NDT personnel)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Types of damage: corrosion, fatigue and dents1.2Fatigue cracking mechanisms in details1.3Buckling of panels and longitudinal stiffeners1.4Thickness reduction and permissible limits1.5IACS Rec. 47 criteria for quality and repair1.6Critical areas: brackets, gussets and joints1.7Visual inspection and damage documentation1.8Thickness measurement by ultrasonics1.9Communication with the classification society1.10Case study: damage report for a bulk carrier
2.1Naval steels from grade A to EH402.2Carbon equivalent and cold cracking2.3Low-temperature toughness and Charpy testing2.4Naval aluminium of the 5000 and 6000 series2.5Duplex stainless steels in critical services2.6Heat-affected zone and microstructures2.7Diffusible hydrogen and consumables control2.8Preheating and interpass temperature2.9Post-weld heat treatment2.10Laboratory: preheat calculation according to EN 1011-2
3.1SMAW in afloat and dry dock repairs3.2FCAW with gas shielding and self-shielded3.3GMAW and GTAW on pipework and aluminium3.4Welding in vertical and overhead positions3.5Underwater wet and dry welding (AWS D3.6M)3.6Air-arc gouging and root preparation3.7Welding sequences to limit distortion3.8Heat input control3.9Welding of inserts and plate renewal3.10Workshop: welding sequence for a plate insert
4.1Temporary versus permanent repair4.2Plate renewal: dimensions and corner radii4.3Doublers and their limitations4.4Repair of stiffeners, bulkhead webs and floors4.5Improving fatigue-sensitive details4.6Hull girder section modulus after repair4.7Local finite element analysis4.8Approval of repair drawings4.9Repairs in cargo and ballast tanks4.10Case study: redesign of a cracked bracket
5.1WPS specifications and PQR records5.2Procedure qualification to ISO 15614-15.3Welder qualification to ISO 9606-15.4Welding requirements of classification rules5.5Welding coordination to ISO 147315.6Traceability of consumables and certificates5.7Inspection before, during and after welding5.8ISO 5817 imperfection quality levels5.9Recording of repairs and non-conformities5.10Practice: review of a repair WPS
6.1Visual inspection to ISO 176376.2Magnetic particle and liquid penetrant testing6.3Conventional ultrasonics and Phased Array6.4TOFD for planar defects6.5Industrial and digital radiography6.6Acceptance criteria ISO 11666 and ISO 232786.7Qualification of inspectors to ISO 97126.8Eddy current testing for crack detection6.9NDT plan for critical repairs6.10Laboratory: interpretation of Phased Array records
7.1Hot work and fire permits7.2Gas-freeing and confined spaces7.3Repairs afloat and in service7.4Aluminium repair in superstructures7.5Steel-aluminium bimetallic joints7.6Repair of rudders, struts and shafts7.7Weld overlay of mechanical components7.8Thermal straightening and distortion control7.9Health and safety in the shipyard7.10Case study: repair of a cracked rudder stock
8.1Case selection and data collection8.2Damage assessment and root cause8.3Repair design and calculations8.4Welding procedure and qualification8.5Inspection and NDT plan8.6Resource and schedule planning8.7Repair cost estimation8.8Approval by the classification society8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online through the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes 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 Mechanical, Simufact Welding, Poseidon (DNV), AutoCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real welding procedure qualifications, ultrasonic and magnetic particle inspection, and damage recognition in dry dock. Assessment is continuous across modules, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Classify typical structural damage in ships.
Assess the weldability of naval steels and alloys.
Select welding processes suitable for repair.
Design structural repairs in accordance with class rules.
Qualify welding procedures and welders to ISO standards.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not 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 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses ANSYS Mechanical, Simufact Welding, Poseidon (DNV) and AutoCAD. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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