Tunnel Waterproofing Course with Geomembranes
Online course of 300 hours in tunnel waterproofing with geomembranes, structured in 6 modules covering water and watertightness in tunnels, geosynthetic materials, waterproofing system design, site execution and control, repair and maintenance, 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 effect of water on tunnels and their linings.
Select geomembranes and geotextiles according to their properties.
Design drained and pressure waterproofing systems.
Plan the execution and on-site control of welds.
Apply seepage detection and repair techniques.
Manage drainage maintenance in service.
Prepare the waterproofing design for a real tunnel.
Who it's for
- Tunnel engineers.
- Underground site managers.
- Quality control technicians.
- Waterproofing specialists.
- Infrastructure inspectors.
- Tunnel maintenance managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in tunnel construction.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN 13491:2019 (geosynthetic barriers for tunnels and underground structures)
- UNE-EN 13967:2012 (flexible sheets for waterproofing)
- UNE-EN 1504-5:2013 (concrete injection products)
- Regulation (EU) 305/2011 (Construction Products Regulation)
- UNE-EN 12390-8:2020 (depth of penetration of water under pressure in concrete)
- UNE-EN 13252:2016 (geotextiles for drainage systems)
- ASTM D6392 (integrity testing of geomembrane seams)
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- PLAXIS 2D
- Allplan
- Microsoft Excel
6 modules
1.1Origin and effects of water in tunnels1.2Required watertightness classes1.3Drained and undrained systems1.4Hydrostatic pressure on the lining1.5Concrete durability and aggressiveness1.6Defects caused by seepage1.7Ice and deterioration at portals1.8Life-cycle cost of waterproofing1.9Reference regulations and guidelines1.10Case study: diagnosing seepage in a tunnel
2.1PVC-P, TPO and HDPE geomembranes2.2Mechanical and chemical properties2.3Puncture resistance2.4Protective geotextiles2.5Signal layers2.6Double-layer membranes with monitoring2.7Sprayed membranes2.8Material quality testing2.9CE marking and declarations of performance2.10Lab: interpreting technical data sheets
3.1System selection according to hydrogeology3.2Waterproof umbrella in drained tunnels3.3Full-round pressure waterproofing3.4Longitudinal and transverse drainage3.5Compartmentalisation with waterstop joints3.6Control and repair injections3.7Details at sidewalls, invert and niches3.8Interaction with the lining3.9Fire compatibility3.10Practical exercise: typical waterproofed cross-section
4.1Preparation of the shotcrete substrate4.2Levelling and treatment of protrusions4.3Fixing with heat-weldable discs4.4Installation with a waterproofing gantry4.5Hot wedge welding4.6Extrusion welding4.7Air pressure testing of welds4.8Protection during concreting4.9Health and safety during installation4.10Workshop: inspection and test plan
5.1On-site watertightness testing5.2Leak detection by compartments5.3Resin and gel injections5.4Repair of damaged membranes5.5Inspection of tunnels in service5.6Drainage management and cleaning5.7Carbonate precipitation5.8Groundwater level monitoring5.9Rehabilitation of old tunnels5.10Case study: rehabilitation of a railway tunnel
6.1Geological and hydrogeological data6.2Target watertightness class6.3System selection6.4Design of construction details6.5Material specification6.6Execution procedure6.7Quality control plan6.8Maintenance plan6.9Report 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 AutoCAD Civil 3D, PLAXIS 2D, Allplan and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: designing the waterproofed cross-section of a drained tunnel, a weld control plan for geomembranes and the rehabilitation of a tunnel with seepage. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: UNE-EN 13491:2019, UNE-EN 13967:2012, UNE-EN 1504-5:2013, Regulation (EU) 305/2011, UNE-EN 12390-8:2020, UNE-EN 13252:2016, ASTM D6392.
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 AutoCAD Civil 3D, PLAXIS 2D, Allplan, Microsoft Excel, 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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