Course on Soil-Structure Interaction in Underground Works
Online course of 300 hours in soil-structure interaction in underground works, structured in 6 modules covering ground behaviour around excavations, the convergence-confinement method, interaction models for linings, subsidence and effects on buildings and special interaction cases, with 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
Understand the stress redistribution caused by an underground excavation.
Apply the convergence-confinement method to support design.
Select suitable interaction models for continuous and segmental linings.
Estimate the settlement trough and its effects on existing buildings.
Assess potential damage to structures using recognised deformation criteria.
Analyse special situations such as twin tunnels, crossings and seismic actions.
Prepare a complete ground-structure interaction analysis for a real case.
Who it's for
- Geotechnical engineers.
- Tunnel engineers.
- Underground structures designers.
- Underground works consultants.
- Metro project technicians.
- Tunnel site managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in underground construction.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design (geotechnical design)
- UNE-EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures (concrete structures)
- ITA-AITES WG2 Guidelines for the Design of Tunnels (international tunnel design guidance)
- AFTES recommendations on the convergence-confinement method (support design method)
- UNE-EN 1998-5 Eurocode 8: Foundations, retaining structures and geotechnical aspects (seismic geotechnical design)
- Structural Code (Royal Decree 470/2021) (Spanish structural code)
- UNE-EN ISO 14688-1 Identification and classification of soil (soil identification)
- PLAXIS 2D
- FLAC3D
- RS2 (Rocscience)
- Midas GTS NX
- RocData
6 modules
1.1Initial stress state and the K0 coefficient1.2Stress redistribution after excavation1.3Kirsch elastic solution for circular openings1.4Ground yielding and plastic radius1.5Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown failure criteria1.6Arching effect and rock mass decompression1.7Influence of water and pore pressures1.8Time-dependent behaviour: creep and swelling1.9Selection of geotechnical design parameters1.10Workshop: estimating in situ stresses along a profile
2.1Ground reaction curve2.2Support characteristic curve2.3Longitudinal displacement profile2.4Panet and Vlachopoulos-Diederichs formulations2.5Stiffness of young shotcrete2.6Stiffness of steel ribs and rock bolts2.7Equilibrium point and factor of safety2.8Combined supports and delayed installation2.9Limitations of the method in shallow tunnels2.10Practical exercise: ground reaction curve of a tunnel in marl
3.1Beam-on-elastic-foundation models3.2Subgrade modulus and reaction coefficients3.3Muir Wood and Curtis analytical method3.4Einstein-Schwartz model for rings3.5Segmental linings and longitudinal joints3.6Rotational stiffness of segment joints3.7Annular grouting pressures3.8Asymmetric loads and surface surcharges3.9Structural verification of the segmental ring3.10Case study: sizing a segmental ring
4.1Peck settlement trough4.2Volume loss and trough width parameter4.3Horizontal movements and strains4.4Damage classification according to Burland4.5Equivalent beam method for buildings4.6Interaction with shallow foundations and piles4.7Effects on buried utilities and pipelines4.8Compensation grouting and active protection4.9Settlement alert and alarm thresholds4.10Workshop: damage assessment of an urban block
5.1Station excavations between diaphragm walls5.2Twin tunnels and interaction between galleries5.3Crossings beneath existing structures5.4Vertical shafts and large-span caverns5.5Face stability and support pressure5.6Seismic response of buried structures5.7Ovalisation and racking deformation5.8Thermal actions and shrinkage in linings5.9Back-analysis with monitoring data5.10Case study: a station between diaphragm walls in an urban area
6.1Definition of the case and geotechnical data6.2Selection of the constitutive model6.3Preliminary analytical design of the support6.4Numerical modelling of the construction process6.5Estimation of surface settlements6.6Assessment of effects on buildings6.7Sizing of the final lining6.8Monitoring plan linked to the design6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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, FLAC3D, RS2 (Rocscience), Midas GTS NX and RocData, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: analysis of settlements induced by urban tunnels, support design in rock and soil and assessment of effects on adjacent buildings. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: UNE-EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design, UNE-EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures, ITA-AITES WG2 Guidelines for the Design of Tunnels, AFTES recommendations on the convergence-confinement method, UNE-EN 1998-5 Eurocode 8: Foundations, retaining structures and geotechnical aspects, Structural Code (Royal Decree 470/2021), UNE-EN ISO 14688-1 Identification and classification of soil.
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.
- 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 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, FLAC3D, RS2 (Rocscience), Midas GTS NX, RocData, 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.
Related programmes
Course in Gender and Urban Inclusion Policies
300 h online course in Gender and Urban Inclusion Policies. 6 modules covering Organic Law 3/2007 for the effective equality of women and men, the UN…
Course in Corrosion Diagnosis of Steel Reinforcement
Online course of 300 hours in corrosion diagnosis of steel reinforcement in concrete, with 6 modules covering corrosion mechanisms, inspection planning, non-destructive and laboratory testing, residual…
Course on Digital Inclusion and the Technological Divide in Cities
Online course of 300 hours in digital inclusion and the technology gap in cities: 6 modules covering the urban digital divide, digital accessibility under WCAG 2.2…
More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships