Structural fatigue course for aircraft
About our
Aircraft Structural Fatigue Course
This course focuses on evaluating the integrity of aircraft structures under cyclic loads and predicting their service life. It covers the study of fatigue damage mechanisms, the tests and analyses necessary to determine the fatigue strength of materials, and the application of damage models and analysis methods for aircraft certification and maintenance. It includes the study of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for the detection of cracks and other defects.
The course provides knowledge of fatigue design, including material selection, structural detail design, and service life optimization. Applicable regulations and standards in the aerospace industry are explored. Participants acquire skills to analyze fatigue data, interpret test results, and develop inspection plans to ensure aircraft safety and reliability.
Structural fatigue course for aircraft
- Format: Hybrid
- Duration: 3 months
- Hours: 300 H
- Language: English / Spanish
- Registration date: 23-10-2026
- Start date: 12-12-2026
- Available places: 3
699 $
Competencies and results
What you will learn
1. Structural Fatigue Analysis in Aircraft: Comprehensive Learning.
- Master fatigue failure mode analysis, including the complex interaction of flap-lag-torsion couplings, the whirl flutter phenomenon, and the effects of structural fatigue on aeronautical components.
- Apply Finite Element (FE) methods for the accurate dimensioning of laminates in composite materials, addressing the design and analysis of structural and bonded joints, ensuring structural integrity.
- Integrate damage tolerance principles and apply advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasonic testing (UT), radiography (RT), and thermography, for the effective assessment and management of fatigue in aircraft.
2. In-depth Mastery of Aeronautical Structural Fatigue: A Key Course.
- Understand the fundamentals of structural fatigue and its impact on aircraft.
- Identify and evaluate fatigue failure modes in aeronautical components.
- Analyze cyclic stresses and their relationship to the service life of structures.
- Study the different types of materials used in aircraft construction and their fatigue behavior.
- Apply numerical analysis (FEA) techniques to simulate and predict the fatigue behavior of structures.
- Design and optimize aeronautical components to resist fatigue.
- Learn about non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies for detecting fatigue damage.
- Understand the regulations and standards of the aeronautical industry related to structural fatigue.
- Acquire knowledge about structural fatigue management and maintenance aircraft.
3. Comprehensive user-oriented design and validation (from modeling to manufacturing)
You will learn to integrate the entire product development process, from initial model conception to final validation, applying user-centered methodologies. You will develop skills in parametric design, ergonomics, simulation, sustainable materials, 3D visualization, and manufacturing management, ensuring efficient, safe solutions that meet current industry standards.
4. Detailed Exploration of Structural Fatigue in Aviation.
4. Detailed Exploration of Structural Fatigue in Aviation
- Identification and evaluation of fatigue failure modes.
- Study of crack propagation and its modeling.
- Analysis of the remaining life of aeronautical components.
- Understanding fatigue mechanisms in different materials.
- Application of fatigue design criteria and material selection.
- Analysis of flap-lag-torsion, whirl flutter, and fatigue couplings.
- Evaluation of the influence of corrosion on fatigue.
- Design and analysis of aeronautical structures under cyclic loads.
- Dimensioning of components for fatigue resistance.
- Dimensioning of laminates in composites, joints, and bonded joints with FE.
- Implementation of fatigue mitigation strategies.
- Application of finite element analysis (FEA) techniques.
- Implementation of damage tolerance and NDT (UT/RT/thermography).
- Use of specialized fatigue analysis software.
- Inspection and predictive maintenance of aeronautical structures.
5. In-depth Analysis of Aeronautical Structural Fatigue: Essential Course.
- Understand the fundamentals of structural fatigue and its implications for aircraft.
- Identify fatigue failure modes and the factors that influence them.
- Analyze fatigue damage mechanisms in aeronautical materials.
- Evaluate the service life of aeronautical structures under cyclic loading.
- Apply fatigue analysis methods, including the S-N approach and the Fracture Mechanics approach.
- Interpret fatigue analysis results and develop mitigation strategies.
- Study non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for detecting fatigue damage.
- Become familiar with structural fatigue standards and regulations in the aerospace industry.
- Learn about the latest trends in fatigue design and analysis, including the use of specialized software.
- Acquire practical skills to perform fatigue analysis and make informed decisions regarding aircraft maintenance.
6. Structural Fatigue in Aircraft: Detailed Study and Application.
6. Structural Fatigue in Aircraft: Detailed Study and Application.
- Understand the mechanics of fatigue in aeronautical structures.
- Identify fatigue failure modes and their causes.
- Analyze flap-lag-torsion, whirl flutter, and fatigue couplings.
- Evaluate the service life of components under cyclic loads.
- Apply fatigue analysis methods based on fracture mechanics.
- Dimension laminates in composites, joints, and bonded joints using FE.
- Use finite element analysis (FEA) software to simulate fatigue.
- Interpret fatigue analysis results and optimize designs.
- Implement fatigue prevention strategies.
- Implement damage tolerance and NDT (UT/RT/thermography).
- Apply non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques.
- Manage fatigue inspection and maintenance programs.
Who this program is for:
Structural fatigue course for aircraft
- Graduates in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related fields.
- Professionals from OEM rotorcraft/eVTOL, MRO, consulting, technology centers.
- Flight Testing, certification, avionics, control, and dynamics seeking specialization.
- Regulators/authorities and UAM/eVTOL professionals requiring compliance skills.
Recommended qualifications: foundation in aerodynamics, control, and structures; ES/EN B2+/C1. We offer bridging tracks if you need them.
- Standards-driven curriculum: you will work with CS-27/CS-29, DO-160, DO-178C/DO-254, ARP4754A/ARP4761, ADS-33E-PRF from the first module.
- Accreditable laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibrations/acoustics.
- Evidence-oriented TFM: safety case, test plan, compliance dossierand operational limits.
- Mentored by industry: teachers with experience in rotorcraft, tiltrotor, eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
- Flexible modality (hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
- Ethics and security: safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Module 1 — Introduction to Structural Fatigue in Aircraft
1.1 Definition and fundamental concepts of structural fatigue.
1.2 Importance of structural fatigue in aircraft design and operation.
1.3 Factors influencing fatigue: load, environment, and material.
1.4 Fatigue damage mechanisms: crack initiation and propagation.
1.5 S-N curves and their application in fatigue analysis.
1.6 Types of loads and their impact on structural fatigue.
1.7 Aeronautical materials and their fatigue behavior.
1.8 Test methods for fatigue assessment in materials.
1.9 Introduction to fatigue analysis techniques: fracture life approach and cumulative damage approach.
1.10 Regulations and standards related to structural fatigue in aircraft.
2.2 Introduction to Structural Fatigue: Fundamental Concepts
2.2 Fatigue Mechanics: Stages of Damage and Crack Growth
2.3 Factors Influencing Fatigue: Loads, Materials, and Environment
2.4 Signal-to-Noise Curves and Fatigue Data Analysis
2.5 Fatigue Design Criteria: Service Life and Damage Tolerance
2.6 Fatigue Analysis Methods: Cycle Counting Methods
2.7 Aeronautical Materials and Their Fatigue Behavior
2.8 Fatigue Testing: Types and Procedures
2.9 Inspection and Maintenance for Fatigue Failure Prevention
2.20 Case Studies: Fatigue Failure Analysis in Aircraft
Module 3 — Introduction to Structural Fatigue
3.3 Definition and fundamental concepts of structural fatigue
3.2 Fatigue failure mechanisms
3.3 Factors influencing fatigue: load, environment, material
3.4 S-N curves and their interpretation
3.5 Introduction to fatigue life and fatigue design
3.6 Types of fatigue tests
3.7 Introduction to fatigue analysis methods
3.8 Relevant regulations and standards in aviation
3.9 Importance of structural fatigue in aviation safety
3.30 Introduction to inspections and maintenance for the prevention of fatigue failures
4.4 Introduction to Structural Fatigue in Aviation: Fundamental Concepts
4.2 Fatigue Mechanisms: Crack Initiation and Propagation
4.3 Factors Affecting Fatigue: Loads, Materials, and Environment
4.4 Fatigue Analysis: S-N Curves and Goodman Diagrams
4.5 Fatigue Testing: Types and Methodologies
4.6 Fatigue Damage Assessment: Inspection Techniques
4.7 Design for Fatigue Prevention: Material Selection and Design
4.8 Repair and Maintenance of Aircraft Structures: Strategies
4.9 Regulations and Standards: Regulatory Compliance
4.40 Case Studies: Fatigue Failure Analysis
5.5 Introduction to Structural Fatigue: Definition and Fundamental Concepts.
5.5 Fracture Mechanics: Principles and Applications in Aeronautics.
5.3 Factors Influencing Fatigue: Loads, Stresses, and Materials.
5.4 S-N Curves and Their Interpretation: Determining Service Life.
5.5 Fatigue Analysis Techniques: Computational and Simulation Methods.
5.6 Fatigue Testing: Types and Evaluation of Results.
5.7 Cumulative Damage: Miner’s Rule and Other Models.
5.8 Inspection and Maintenance: Strategies for Early Detection.
5.9 Design for Durability: Considerations in Aeronautical Design.
5.50 Case Studies: Fatigue Failure Analysis in Aircraft.
6.6 Fundamentals of Structural Fatigue: Introduction to Key Concepts
6.2 Fatigue Failure Mechanisms: Crack Initiation and Propagation
6.3 Stress Analysis in Aeronautical Components: Calculation and Evaluation
6.4 S-N Curves and Goodman Diagrams: Interpretation and Application
6.5 Factors Affecting Fatigue: Loads, Materials, and Environment
6.6 Fatigue Modeling: Analysis and Simulation Techniques
6.7 Fatigue Testing: Types and Test Procedures
6.8 Design for Durability: Strategies to Minimize Fatigue
6.9 Inspection and Maintenance: Failure Detection and Prevention
6.60 Case Studies: Analysis of Real-World Examples of Fatigue Failure
- Hands-on methodology: test-before-you-trust, design reviews, failure analysis, compliance evidence.
- Software (depending on licenses/partners): MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy/SciPy), OpenVSP, SU2/OpenFOAM, Nastran/Abaqus, AMESim/Modelica, acoustics tools, planning toolchains DO-178C.
- SEIUM Laboratories: scale rotor bench, vibrations/acoustics, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL for AFCS, data acquisition with strain gauging.
- Standards and compliance: EN 9100, 17025, ISO 27001, GDPR.
Capstone-type projects
Admissions, fees, and scholarships
- Profile: Background in Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related fields; practical experience in NLP and valued information retrieval systems.
- Documentation: Updated CV, academic transcript, SOP/statement of purpose, project examples or code (optional).
- Process: Application → Technical evaluation of profile and experience → Technical interview → Review of case studies → Final decision → Enrollment.
- Fees:
- Single payment: 10% discount.
- Payment in 3 installments: No fees; 30% upon registration + 2 equal monthly payments of the remaining 35%.
Monthly payment: available with a 7% commission on the total; annual review.
Scholarships: based on academic merit, financial need, and promoting inclusion; agreements with companies in the sector for partial or full scholarships.
See “Calendar & Calls for Applications,” “Scholarships & Grants,” and “Fees & Financing” in the SEIUM mega-menu.
Do you have any questions?
Our team is ready to help you. Contact us, and we will respond as soon as possible.
F. A. Q
Frequently asked questions
Yes, we have international certification
Yes: experimental models, real data, applied simulations, professional environments, real case studies.
It is not mandatory. We offer leveling tracks and tutoring.
Completely. It covers e-propulsion, integration, and emerging regulations (SC-VTOL).
Recommended. There are also internal challenges and consortiums.
Yes. Online/hybrid modality with planned labs and visa support (see “Visa & Residence”).