Course in Vibration and Fatigue in Large Structures
Online course of 300 hours in vibration and fatigue in large structures. 6 modules covering structural dynamics, pedestrian and traffic-induced vibration, vibration control and fatigue of steel, concrete and cables to EN 1993-1-9 and EN 1991-2, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Vibration and Fatigue in Large Structures — studying from Australia
Australia's infrastructure pipeline is substantial, covering roads, rail, ports, water and urban development across major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Rail engineering is especially active, with projects including Sydney Metro and Melbourne Metro. Smart city initiatives draw on sensors, data platforms and digital twins to improve transport, utilities and public services. Employers include state transport authorities, engineering consultancies such as Aurecon and WSP, and major contractors. Engineers work on design, asset management, construction oversight and sustainability.
Fees for Australia: A$1,180 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification meet Australian civil engineering registration requirements?
No. Civil engineers in Australia typically need an Engineers Australia accredited degree to pursue Chartered status, and state and territory rail and infrastructure regulators set their own requirements. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so employers or regulators decide how much weight they carry.
Which Australian employers hire in civil, rail and smart cities?
Australia has public infrastructure agencies, rail operators, engineering consultancies and councils working on urban and smart city projects. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. Ask potential employers whether a private online qualification would be considered alongside your experience.
Is the course workable alongside work, and what does it cost?
The courses are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship may be possible, and you will have 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
Characterise the dynamic response of large structures.
Assess pedestrian- and traffic-induced vibration.
Design vibration control systems.
Calculate the fatigue of steel details.
Assess fatigue in concrete and cables.
Estimate the remaining life of existing structures.
Carry out a complete vibration and fatigue study.
Who it's for
- Structural dynamics engineers
- Fatigue specialists
- Steel bridge designers
- Monitoring engineers
- Vibration control consultants
- Steel structure inspectors
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into road infrastructure
What you'll work with
- EN 1993-1-9 (Eurocode 3 – fatigue of steel structures)
- EN 1991-2 (Eurocode 1 – traffic loads on bridges)
- EN 1990 Annex A2 (basis of design – application to bridges)
- ISO 10137 (serviceability of buildings and walkways against vibration)
- EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2 – design of concrete structures)
- Sétra Footbridges 2006 (guidance on vibration of footbridges)
- ARTeMIS Modal
- Ansys Mechanical
- SAP2000
- MATLAB
- nCode DesignLife
6 modules
1.1Natural frequencies and mode shapes1.2Structural damping1.3Response to harmonic excitation1.4Response to random excitation1.5Power spectral density1.6Traffic-induced excitation1.7Wind-induced excitation1.8Pedestrian-induced excitation1.9Railway resonance1.10Practical: modal analysis of a footbridge
2.1Pedestrian comfort2.2Lateral synchronisation2.3Lessons from the Millennium Bridge2.4Acceleration criteria2.5Vibration in high-speed railway bridges2.6Vehicle–structure interaction2.7Traffic-induced vibration in buildings2.8Field measurement of vibration2.9Mitigation through design2.10Lab: vibration measurement on a footbridge
3.1Tuned mass dampers3.2Viscous dampers3.3Liquid dampers3.4Active and semi-active control3.5Design of a TMD3.6Optimal placement of devices3.7Verification testing3.8Damper maintenance3.9Real cases3.10Practical: sizing a TMD
4.1Fatigue mechanisms4.2S-N curves4.3Detail categories4.4Rainflow cycle counting4.5Palmgren-Miner rule4.6Fatigue in welded joints4.7Orthotropic decks4.8Fracture mechanics4.9Inspection of fatigue cracks4.10Lab: cumulative damage calculation
5.1Fatigue of concrete5.2Fatigue of reinforcing steel5.3Fatigue of prestressing steel5.4Fatigue of stay cables and hangers5.5Wind-induced fatigue in cables5.6Remaining-life assessment5.7Fatigue monitoring5.8Strengthening of details5.9Applicable standards5.10Case study: remaining life of a railway bridge
6.1Selected structure6.2Dynamic characterisation6.3Vibration analysis6.4Comfort verification6.5Vibration control design6.6Fatigue analysis6.7Monitoring plan6.8Conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 it fits around your work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ARTeMIS Modal, Ansys Mechanical, SAP2000, MATLAB and nCode DesignLife, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for vibration measurement on footbridges, fatigue analysis of welded joints and verification of tuned mass dampers. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: EN 1993-1-9, EN 1991-2, EN 1990 Annex A2, ISO 10137, EN 1992-1-1, Sétra Footbridges 2006.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with ARTeMIS Modal, Ansys Mechanical, SAP2000, MATLAB, nCode DesignLife, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, 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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