Course in Repair of Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridges
Online course of 300 hours in repair of post-tensioned concrete bridges, structured in 6 modules covering post-tensioning systems, defects, inspection techniques, structural assessment and repair and strengthening, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Repair of Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridges — studying from New Zealand
Civil engineering is one of New Zealand's largest engineering employers, driven by the need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure, roading, water and wastewater systems across a seismically active country. Major projects include Auckland's City Rail Link and Wellington's transport upgrades, with rail maintained largely by KiwiRail. Engineers work for consultancies, contractors and councils, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment administers the Building Act and related standards, while Waka Kotahi manages the national land transport network.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What is the recognition pathway for civil and rail engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is the main recognised professional standard for civil engineers. Rail is regulated through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers or the relevant body decide how much weight to give them.
Who hires civil, rail and smart city engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include city and regional councils, central government agencies, consultancies, contractors, and rail and transport operators. Smart city roles increasingly combine infrastructure knowledge with data and digital systems. Hiring usually depends on registration, experience and project records, so a private qualification is a supporting credential rather than a guaranteed entry point.
Will I need a visa, and how do fees and employer funding work?
No student visa is needed to study from home, because all programmes are 100% online and taught in English. Each programme includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300, so check the time commitment against your workload.
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
Explain how post-tensioning systems work.
Identify defects specific to post-tensioning.
Apply tendon inspection techniques.
Assess the residual capacity of deteriorated bridges.
Select repair and strengthening techniques.
Control the quality of repairs.
Design the repair of a post-tensioned bridge.
Who it's for
- Bridge rehabilitation engineers.
- Post-tensioning specialists.
- Structural inspectors.
- Repair works site managers.
- Structural pathology consultants.
- Road maintenance technicians responsible for bridge stock.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter road maintenance.
What you'll work with
- EN 1504-9 (repair of concrete structures: principles for the use of products and systems)
- EN 447 (grout for prestressing tendons: basic requirements)
- EN 445 (grout for prestressing tendons: test methods)
- EAD 160004-00-0301 (post-tensioning kits for prestressing of structures)
- fib Bulletin 33 (durability of post-tensioning tendons)
- EN 1992-2 (Eurocode 2: concrete bridges)
- Real Decreto 470/2021 (Spanish Structural Code)
- MIDAS Civil
- SOFiSTiK
- ATENA
- GSSI RADAN
6 modules
1.1Principles of post-tensioning1.2Post-tensioning systems and anchorages1.3Metal and plastic ducts1.4Grout injection1.5Types of post-tensioned bridges1.6Bridge generations and their defects1.7External post-tensioning1.8Precast segmental bridges1.9Lessons from historical collapses1.10Case study: collapse of the Morandi and Carola bridges
2.1Tendon corrosion2.2Voids in the grout2.3Segregated and contaminated grout2.4Stress corrosion2.5Hydrogen embrittlement2.6Breakage of strands and wires2.7Anchorage failures2.8Cracking due to loss of prestress2.9Leakage at segment joints2.10Practical exercise: diagnosis from a crack pattern
3.1Targeted visual inspection3.2Endoscopy in ducts3.3Ground-penetrating radar and radiography3.4Impact-echo and ultrasound3.5Detection of wire breaks by acoustic emission3.6Remanent magnetism testing3.7Opening inspection windows3.8Grout and chloride analysis3.9Measurement of residual force3.10Lab: analysis of a grout sample
4.1Prestress losses and their estimation4.2Models with degraded tendons4.3Residual capacity4.4Warning-before-failure behaviour4.5Robustness analysis4.6Load tests4.7Deformation monitoring4.8Temporary use restrictions4.9Decision criteria4.10Practical exercise: assessment with loss of tendons
5.1Re-grouting of ducts5.2Corrosion inhibitors5.3Cathodic protection5.4Tendon replacement5.5Additional external post-tensioning5.6FRP strengthening5.7Anchorage repair5.8Waterproofing and drainage5.9Quality control of the repair5.10Case study: strengthening with external post-tensioning
6.1Description of the bridge6.2History and documentation6.3Inspection plan6.4Diagnosis6.5Structural assessment6.6Repair solution6.7Execution process6.8Monitoring plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Training 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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is MIDAS Civil, SOFiSTiK, ATENA and GSSI RADAN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures such as endoscopic inspection of ducts, chemical analysis of grout and load tests after repair. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EN 1504-9, EN 447, EN 445, EAD 160004-00-0301, fib Bulletin 33, EN 1992-2, Real Decreto 470/2021.
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 MIDAS Civil, SOFiSTiK, ATENA and GSSI RADAN, 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 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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