Structural Engineering, Geotechnics & Bridges
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in structural, geotechnical and bridge engineering: 12 modules covering advanced structural analysis, concrete, steel and composite structures, soil mechanics, geotechnical investigation, foundations, retaining structures, bridge design and seismic analysis under the Spanish Structural Code, Eurocode 7 and Eurocode 2, 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
Analyse structures using linear, non-linear and dynamic methods.
Design concrete, steel and composite structures according to the Eurocodes.
Characterise the ground through geotechnical investigation.
Design foundations, retaining structures and slope stabilisation.
Conceive and calculate short and medium-span bridges.
Apply seismic criteria to bridge substructures.
Inspect, assess and strengthen existing structures.
Who it's for
- Structural engineers looking to broaden their expertise into geotechnics and bridges.
- Geotechnical engineers who want a stronger grasp of structural design.
- Bridge engineers working on design, construction or maintenance.
- Foundation designers dealing with complex ground conditions.
- Structural inspectors assessing existing buildings and infrastructure.
- Structural rehabilitation consultants working on repair and strengthening.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into transport infrastructure.
What you'll work with
- Spanish Structural Code (Royal Decree 470/2021) (design of concrete and steel structures in Spain)
- EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7) (geotechnical design)
- EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2) (design of concrete structures)
- EN 1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3) (design of steel structures)
- EN 1998-2 (Eurocode 8) (seismic design of bridges)
- IAP-11 (actions on road bridges in Spain)
- NCSP-07 (Spanish seismic code for bridges)
- CTE DB SE-C (Spanish Building Code: foundations)
- SAP2000
- CSiBridge
- PLAXIS 2D
- Midas Civil
- GeoStudio
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Matrix stiffness methods1.2Geometric non-linear analysis1.3Material non-linearity1.4Global stability and buckling1.5Structural dynamics and modes1.6Modal response spectrum seismic analysis1.7Time-history dynamic analysis1.8Finite elements in structures1.9Modelling joints and supports1.10Lab: frame model in SAP2000
2.1The Spanish Structural Code of 20212.2Fundamentals of Eurocode 22.3Bending, shear and torsion2.4Punching shear in slabs2.5Crack and deflection control2.6Prestressed concrete and losses2.7Durability and concrete cover2.8Strut-and-tie models2.9High-strength and fibre-reinforced concrete2.10Practical exercise: design of a post-tensioned slab
3.1Fundamentals of Eurocode 33.2Classification of steel cross-sections3.3Lateral-torsional buckling and plate buckling3.4Bolted and welded connections3.5Fatigue of construction details3.6Composite structures according to Eurocode 43.7Shear connectors and longitudinal shear3.8Fire resistance of structures3.9Corrosion protection3.10Workshop: composite beam for an office building
4.1Index properties of soils4.2USCS and AASHTO classification4.3Effective stress and pore water pressure4.4Consolidation and settlement4.5Drained and undrained shear strength4.6Groundwater flow and flow nets4.7Triaxial and oedometer tests4.8Expansive and collapsible soils4.9Hardening Soil constitutive models4.10Lab: interpretation of triaxial tests
5.1Planning geotechnical campaigns5.2Rotary boreholes and cores5.3Standard penetration test (SPT)5.4CPTU piezocone and interpretation5.5Pressuremeter and dilatometer tests5.6Seismic and electrical geophysics5.7Geotechnical study according to the CTE5.8Selection of design parameters5.9Geotechnical risk and Eurocode 75.10Practical exercise: geotechnical profile from CPTU
6.1Shallow foundations and footings6.2Raft foundations6.3Bored and driven piles6.4Pile caps and tie beams6.5Settlement calculation6.6Soil-structure interaction in foundations6.7Ground improvement and stone columns6.8Foundation underpinning6.9Pile load tests6.10Case study: foundation for a building on soft clays
7.1Earth pressure theories7.2Gravity and cantilever walls7.3Pile walls and diaphragm walls7.4Ground anchors7.5Slope stability by limit equilibrium7.6Strength reduction methods7.7Rock bolting and shotcreting of slopes7.8Drainage and water control7.9Reinforced soil walls7.10Lab: anchored retaining wall in PLAXIS
8.1Historical evolution of bridges8.2Bridge types and span ranges8.3Selecting the bridge type according to constraints8.4Aesthetics and landscape integration8.5Main construction methods8.6Actions on road bridges (IAP-11)8.7Traffic loads in Eurocode 1-28.8Bearings and expansion joints8.9Actions on railway bridges (IAPF)8.10Workshop: preliminary design of an overpass
9.1Solid and voided slab decks9.2Precast beam decks9.3Box girder sections9.4Grillage analysis9.5Transverse load distribution9.6Prestressing in continuous decks9.7Steel-concrete composite decks9.8Fatigue in steel bridges9.9Dynamic behaviour under traffic9.10Practical exercise: grillage model of a beam deck
10.1Piers and their design10.2Abutments and wing walls10.3Deep foundations for bridges10.4NCSP-07 seismic code10.5Seismic design according to Eurocode 8-210.6Seismic isolation and dampers10.7Scour in riverbeds10.8Vehicle and ship impact10.9Ground-abutment interaction and earth pressures10.10Lab: seismic analysis of a viaduct
11.1Principal bridge inspection11.2Common structural defects11.3Non-destructive testing of structures11.4Continuous structural monitoring11.5Load-bearing capacity assessment11.6Strengthening with FRP11.7Bridge management systems11.8BIM models for infrastructure11.9Structural digital twins11.10Case study: assessment of a corroded bridge
12.1Definition of the case study12.2Analysis of the geotechnical study12.3Structural concept and alternatives12.4Structural and geotechnical modelling12.5Design of the main elements12.6Foundation design12.7Structural and foundation drawings12.8Cost estimate of the solution12.9Master'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 SAP2000, CSiBridge, PLAXIS 2D, Midas Civil and GeoStudio, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for interpreting geotechnical laboratory and field tests, inspections of bridges in service, and load tests on piles and decks. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Spanish Structural Code (Royal Decree 470/2021), EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7), EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2), EN 1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3), EN 1998-2 (Eurocode 8), IAP-11, NCSP-07, CTE DB SE-C.
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 SAP2000, CSiBridge, PLAXIS 2D, Midas Civil and GeoStudio, 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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