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 South Africa
Civil engineering is central to South Africa's infrastructure, from roads and water systems to rail and urban development. Transnet's freight rail network, the Gautrain system in Gauteng and metropolitan projects in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg create steady demand for engineers. Large contractors and consultancies, along with public agencies such as the South African National Roads Agency Limited, employ specialists in structures, transport and urban systems. Smart city initiatives increasingly combine civil works with digital monitoring and sustainable design.
Fees for South Africa: R 12 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African body registers civil engineers, and would SEIUM qualifications count towards registration?
ECSA registers engineering professionals in South Africa, and built environment professionals are registered through SACPCMP and SACAP. Registration requires recognised qualifications, supervised experience and assessment. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. Whether they count is decided by ECSA or the relevant body and your employer, so verify before enrolling.
Will this programme help me work on rail or smart city projects in South Africa?
South Africa has ongoing infrastructure, rail and urban development work, with projects involving public bodies, engineering consultancies and contractors. Employers typically seek registered professionals with proven project experience. A private online qualification in smart cities or rail can support your profile, but it does not guarantee work on any project. Speak to potential employers about how they view it.
Can I study alongside a full-time job, and can my employer help pay?
Yes, the programme is 100% online, so you can study around work, though you need a reasonable level of English as teaching is in English. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with a technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Many employers in South Africa fund professional development, so ask yours.
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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