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Course in Laboratory Testing of Structural Materials

Online course of 300 hours in laboratory testing of structural materials. 6 modules covering laboratory organisation and measurement uncertainty, testing of aggregates, cement, concrete, steel and other materials, and quality control to ISO/IEC 17025, EN 12390-3 and EN 12350-2, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Organise an accredited testing laboratory.

02

Calculate the measurement uncertainty of tests.

03

Test aggregates and cements to standard.

04

Carry out tests on fresh and hardened concrete.

05

Characterise structural and reinforcing steels.

06

Apply statistical quality control.

07

Plan a testing campaign for a construction project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Materials laboratory technicians
  • Laboratory quality managers
  • On-site quality control technicians
  • Materials engineers
  • Accreditation auditors
  • Construction R&D technicians
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into testing laboratories
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
  • EN 12390-3 (compressive strength of hardened concrete)
  • EN 12350-2 (slump test of fresh concrete)
  • EN 196-1 (methods of testing cement – strength)
  • EN 933-1 (particle size distribution of aggregates)
  • EN ISO 6892-1 (tensile testing of metallic materials)
  • EN ISO 15630-1 (test methods for reinforcing steel)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • LabVIEW
  • Minitab
  • testXpert
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Organisation of a materials laboratory
  2. 1.2Accreditation and technical competence
  3. 1.3Equipment and its calibration
  4. 1.4Metrological traceability
  5. 1.5Measurement uncertainty
  6. 1.6Sampling and receipt of samples
  7. 1.7Laboratory safety
  8. 1.8Data recording and management
  9. 1.9Test reports
  10. 1.10Practical: uncertainty calculation for a compression test
  1. 2.1Particle size distribution of aggregates
  2. 2.2Density and water absorption
  3. 2.3Los Angeles abrasion test
  4. 2.4Sand equivalent
  5. 2.5Fineness and specific surface of cement
  6. 2.6Setting time
  7. 2.7Strength of standard mortar
  8. 2.8Soundness
  9. 2.9Alkali-silica reactivity
  10. 2.10Lab: particle size distribution and absorption of an aggregate
  1. 3.1Slump test consistency
  2. 3.2Air content
  3. 3.3Making and curing test specimens
  4. 3.4Compressive strength
  5. 3.5Tensile splitting and flexural strength
  6. 3.6Modulus of elasticity
  7. 3.7Depth of water penetration
  8. 3.8Shrinkage and creep
  9. 3.9Special and self-compacting concretes
  10. 3.10Lab: compression testing of specimens
  1. 4.1Tensile testing of steels
  2. 4.2Yield strength and elongation
  3. 4.3Bend testing of reinforcing bars
  4. 4.4Rib geometry
  5. 4.5Charpy impact test
  6. 4.6Brinell and Vickers hardness
  7. 4.7Weld testing
  8. 4.8Fatigue of reinforcing bars
  9. 4.9Chemical analysis of steels
  10. 4.10Lab: tensile test of a ribbed bar
  1. 5.1Testing of structural timber
  2. 5.2Testing of FRP composites
  3. 5.3Bond strength testing
  4. 5.4Testing of repair mortars
  5. 5.5Soil testing for foundations
  6. 5.6Statistical production control
  7. 5.7Acceptance control on site
  8. 5.8Interpreting non-conforming results
  9. 5.9Interlaboratory testing
  10. 5.10Case study: acceptance control of a concrete
  1. 6.1Definition of the works
  2. 6.2Materials to be controlled
  3. 6.3Sampling plan
  4. 6.4Applicable tests and standards
  5. 6.5Test scheduling
  6. 6.6Analysis of results
  7. 6.7Control report
  8. 6.8Budget
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 Microsoft Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab and testXpert, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for compression tests on concrete specimens, tensile tests on ribbed bars and acceptance control of materials on site. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ISO/IEC 17025, EN 12390-3, EN 12350-2, EN 196-1, EN 933-1, EN ISO 6892-1, EN ISO 15630-1.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO/IEC 17025, EN 12390-3 and EN 12350-2 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Microsoft Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab, testXpert, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A complete testing campaign for a construction project, from sampling plan and applicable standards to analysis of results, control report and budget, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Measurement uncertainty
Calculate the uncertainty of a concrete compression test.
Aggregate characterisation
Determine the particle size distribution and absorption of an aggregate.
Steel bar tensile test
Test a ribbed bar and determine its yield strength and elongation.
Concrete acceptance control
Apply statistical acceptance control to a concrete supplied on site.
Final project
A complete testing campaign for a construction project with control report and budget, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Materials laboratory technicianLaboratory quality managerOn-site quality control technicianMaterials engineerAccreditation auditorConstruction R&D technician
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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 Microsoft Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab, testXpert, 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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