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Course on Applied Geotechnics in Deep Excavations

Online course of 300 hours in applied geotechnics for deep excavations, structured in 6 modules covering geotechnical characterisation, earth pressures and stability, retaining systems, groundwater in deep excavations and numerical analysis and monitoring, 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

Plan the geotechnical characterisation of a deep excavation.

02

Calculate earth pressures and verify stability according to Eurocode 7.

03

Design anchored and propped retaining systems.

04

Control groundwater through dewatering and impermeable barriers.

05

Model excavations with advanced numerical analysis.

06

Apply the observational method with monitoring.

07

Develop the geotechnical design of a deep excavation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Geotechnical engineers.
  • Retaining structure designers.
  • Foundation site managers.
  • Geotechnical consultants.
  • Monitoring technicians.
  • Construction hydrogeologists.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to work for geotechnical consultancies.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UNE-EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7 (geotechnical design, general rules)
  • UNE-EN 1997-2 (ground investigation and testing)
  • Spanish Technical Building Code DB SE-C (foundations and geotechnics)
  • UNE-EN 1538:2011 (execution of diaphragm walls)
  • UNE-EN 1537:2015 (execution of ground anchors)
  • UNE-EN 12063:2000 (execution of sheet pile walls)
  • UNE-EN ISO 22476-3:2006 (standard penetration test)
  • UNE-EN ISO 17892-1:2015 (laboratory testing of soil, water content)
  • PLAXIS 2D
  • GEO5
  • Oasys FREW
  • SLOPE/W
  • SEEP/W
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Ground investigation campaign
  2. 1.2Boreholes and in situ tests
  3. 1.3SPT, CPTU and pressuremeter tests
  4. 1.4Laboratory strength tests
  5. 1.5Drained and undrained parameters
  6. 1.6Permeability and pumping tests
  7. 1.7Small-strain stiffness
  8. 1.8Geological and geotechnical model
  9. 1.9Characteristic values of parameters
  10. 1.10Case study: geotechnical report for a basement excavation
  1. 2.1Active, passive and at-rest earth pressures
  2. 2.2Rankine and Coulomb theories
  3. 2.3Earth pressures with surcharges and water
  4. 2.4Base failure in clays
  5. 2.5Piping and hydraulic heave
  6. 2.6Overall stability
  7. 2.7Eurocode 7 partial factors
  8. 2.8Design approaches
  9. 2.9Analysis of layered soils
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: earth pressures in layered ground
  1. 3.1Concrete diaphragm walls
  2. 3.2Secant and contiguous pile walls
  3. 3.3Steel sheet piles
  4. 3.4Berlin walls
  5. 3.5Ground anchors
  6. 3.6Props and struts
  7. 3.7Berms and temporary slopes
  8. 3.8Analysis as a beam on springs
  9. 3.9Structural design of the wall
  10. 3.10Workshop: design of a wall with two anchor levels
  1. 4.1Dewatering by wells
  2. 4.2Well points and drainage
  3. 4.3Cut-off walls and base plugs
  4. 4.4Jet grouting at the excavation base
  5. 4.5Ground freezing
  6. 4.6Flow nets and flow rates
  7. 4.7Effects of dewatering on the surroundings
  8. 4.8Uplift pressure control
  9. 4.9Aquifer recharge
  10. 4.10Lab: flow beneath a retaining wall
  1. 5.1Advanced constitutive models
  2. 5.2Coupled consolidation analysis
  3. 5.33D modelling of corners
  4. 5.4Interaction with nearby structures
  5. 5.5Excavation instrumentation
  6. 5.6Back-analysis of parameters
  7. 5.7The observational method
  8. 5.8Thresholds and contingency plans
  9. 5.9Monitoring reports
  10. 5.10Case study: back-analysis with inclinometers
  1. 6.1Site data
  2. 6.2Geotechnical model
  3. 6.3Selection of the retaining system
  4. 6.4Calculation of earth pressures and stability
  5. 6.5Design of groundwater control
  6. 6.6Numerical model
  7. 6.7Monitoring plan
  8. 6.8Construction procedure
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online 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 PLAXIS 2D, GEO5, Oasys FREW, SLOPE/W and SEEP/W, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: design of an anchored wall for a deep basement, analysis of groundwater lowering and back-analysis with inclinometer data. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.

Standards covered: UNE-EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7, UNE-EN 1997-2, Spanish Technical Building Code DB SE-C, UNE-EN 1538:2011, UNE-EN 1537:2015, UNE-EN 12063:2000, UNE-EN ISO 22476-3:2006, UNE-EN ISO 17892-1:2015.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of UNE-EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7, UNE-EN 1997-2 and the Spanish Technical Building Code DB SE-C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:PLAXIS 2D, GEO5, Oasys FREW, SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the geotechnical design of a deep excavation, from the ground model and retaining system to groundwater control, numerical analysis and monitoring, 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.

Build the ground model
Gather site data and develop the geological and geotechnical model.
Select and design the retaining system
Choose the retaining system and calculate earth pressures and stability.
Design groundwater control
Define dewatering or cut-off solutions and check uplift and heave.
Model and monitor
Build the numerical model and the monitoring plan with the construction procedure.
Final project
Present the deep excavation design and report for your tutor's final review.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Geotechnical engineerRetaining structure designerFoundation site managerGeotechnical consultantMonitoring technicianConstruction hydrogeologist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • 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.

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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 PLAXIS 2D, GEO5, Oasys FREW, SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, 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 capable of running 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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