Master’s in Tunnel and Underground Works Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in tunnelling and underground works engineering: 12 modules covering tunnel geology, rock mechanics, NATM and conventional methods, TBM excavation, drill-and-blast, urban tunnels and subsidence, numerical modelling, monitoring and operational safety under EN 1997-1 and Directive 2004/54/EC, 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
Characterise rock masses and soils for tunnel design.
Apply rock mechanics to support design.
Design tunnels using conventional and mechanised methods.
Control settlement and damage in urban tunnels.
Numerically model excavation and its stages.
Plan monitoring and apply the observational method.
Integrate safety installations and risk management.
Who it's for
- Tunnel engineers involved in the design or construction of underground works.
- Geotechnical engineers specialising in underground excavation.
- TBM specialists operating or planning mechanised tunnelling.
- Monitoring technicians managing instrumentation on tunnel sites.
- Tunnel safety engineers working on ventilation, fire and evacuation.
- Underground site managers running tunnelling projects.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into transport infrastructure.
What you'll work with
- EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7) (geotechnical design)
- Directive 2004/54/EC (minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the trans-European road network)
- Royal Decree 635/2006 (minimum safety requirements for road tunnels in Spain)
- UNE 22381 (control of blasting vibrations)
- EN 14487-1 (sprayed concrete)
- EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2) (design of concrete structures)
- ITIG Code of Practice (risk management of tunnel works)
- PLAXIS 3D
- RS2
- FLAC3D
- Unwedge
- Autodesk Civil 3D
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Applied structural geology1.2Rock masses and discontinuities1.3RMR, Q and GSI classifications1.4Tunnel hydrogeology1.5Soft urban soils1.6Swelling and gypsiferous rocks1.7Geotechnical investigation for tunnels1.8Longitudinal geotechnical profile1.9Geological hazards along the alignment1.10Case study: geotechnical profile of a road tunnel
2.1Rock laboratory tests2.2Hoek-Brown failure criterion2.3Mohr-Coulomb criterion in rock2.4In situ stresses and their measurement2.5Rock mass deformability2.6Long-term time-dependent behaviour2.7Anisotropy and foliation2.8Rock bursting at great depth2.9Deriving parameters with RocData2.10Lab: compression and point load tests
3.1New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)3.2Convergence-confinement method3.3Primary support design3.4Rock bolts and anchors3.5Fibre-reinforced shotcrete3.6Steel arches and micropile umbrellas3.7Sequential excavation by stages3.8Final concrete lining3.9Waterproofing and drainage3.10Practical exercise: ground reaction curve of a rock tunnel
4.1Types of tunnel boring machines4.2Earth pressure balance (EPB) shields4.3Slurry shields and slurry treatment4.4Precast segmental lining rings4.5Face pressure and stability4.6Annular grout injection4.7Cutting tool wear4.8Advance rates and planning4.9Risk of TBM entrapment4.10Workshop: face pressure calculation for an EPB
5.1Rock excavation methods5.2Principles of controlled blasting5.3Vibration control according to UNE 223815.4Pre-splitting and contour smoothing5.5Safety regulations for explosives5.6Ventilation after blasting5.7Mucking and logistics5.8Drilling jumbos5.9Excavation with roadheaders5.10Case study: comparison between blasting and roadheaders
6.1Excavation-induced settlement6.2Peck settlement trough6.3Potential damage to buildings6.4Ground treatment6.5Jet grouting and columns6.6Ground freezing6.7Compensation grouting6.8Cut-and-cover excavation between diaphragm walls6.9The Madrid method and the classical method6.10Lab: settlement estimation in PLAXIS
7.12D finite element models7.23D models of face advance7.3Constitutive models for tunnels7.4Support-ground interaction7.5Simulation of construction stages7.6Calibration with monitoring data7.7Back analysis7.8Finite differences with FLAC7.9Discrete elements in fractured rock masses7.10Practical exercise: 3D portal model in PLAXIS
8.1Convergence measurement8.2Rod extensometers8.3Piezometers and water pressures8.4Automated surveying with total stations8.5Tunnel laser scanning8.6Alert and alarm thresholds8.7Observational method according to Eurocode 78.8Data management platforms8.9Monitoring reports8.10Workshop: monitoring plan for an urban tunnel
9.1Longitudinal and transverse ventilation9.2Design fires and their control9.3Escape galleries9.4Tunnel lighting9.5Drainage and pumping9.6Tunnel control centre9.7Tunnel Directive 2004/54/EC9.8Royal Decree 635/2006 in Spain9.9Safety in railway tunnels9.10Case study: analysis of the Mont Blanc tunnel fire
10.1Large-span caverns10.2Shafts and their excavation10.3Microtunnelling and pipe jacking10.4Utility tunnels10.5Metro stations in caverns10.6Underground energy storage10.7Pumped-storage hydroelectric plants10.8Rehabilitation of old tunnels10.9Immersed tube tunnels10.10Practical exercise: preliminary design of a station cavern
11.1Risk management according to the ITIG code11.2Contracts and allocation of geological risk11.3Tunnel cost estimation11.4Schedule planning11.5Health and safety in underground works11.6Management of excavated material11.7BIM for tunnels11.8Maintenance and inspection11.9Lessons from tunnel collapses11.10Lab: risk register for a tunnel
12.1Definition of the alignment and cross-section12.2Geotechnical characterisation of the rock mass12.3Selection of the construction method12.4Support and lining design12.5Numerical modelling of the tunnel12.6Installations and safety12.7Proposed monitoring plan12.8Budget and planning12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 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 3D, RS2, FLAC3D, Unwedge and Autodesk Civil 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for laboratory rock mechanics tests, monitoring of tunnels under construction and numerical modelling calibrated with site data. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7), Directive 2004/54/EC, Royal Decree 635/2006, UNE 22381, EN 14487-1, EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2), ITIG Code of Practice.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PLAXIS 3D, RS2, FLAC3D, Unwedge and Autodesk Civil 3D, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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