Course in Visual Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing of Bridges
Online course of 300 hours in visual inspection and non-destructive testing of bridges. 6 modules covering inspection and management systems, visual inspection and defects, NDT on concrete, testing of steel and other elements, and analysis of results and reporting, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Visual Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing of 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 10 200 (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
Organise inspections according to type and frequency.
Identify defects through visual inspection.
Apply non-destructive tests to concrete.
Inspect steel elements, cables and foundations.
Interpret test results in combination.
Write inspection reports with recommendations.
Plan and carry out the inspection of a bridge.
Who it's for
- Bridge inspectors.
- Non-destructive testing technicians.
- Maintenance engineers.
- Structural pathology specialists.
- Inspection drone pilots.
- Structure inventory managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter road maintenance.
What you'll work with
- EN 12504-1 (testing concrete in structures, cored specimens)
- EN 12504-2 (testing concrete in structures, rebound number)
- EN 12504-4 (testing concrete in structures, ultrasonic pulse velocity)
- ASTM C876 (corrosion potentials of reinforcing steel in concrete)
- ISO 9712 (qualification and certification of NDT personnel)
- EN 13018 (visual testing, general principles)
- ASTM D6087 (evaluating asphalt-covered concrete bridge decks using ground-penetrating radar)
- Agisoft Metashape
- GSSI RADAN
- Screening Eagle Workspace
- QGIS
6 modules
1.1Types of inspection: routine, basic and principal1.2Inventory of bridges and culverts1.3Condition indices1.4Inspection frequency1.5Means of access1.6Safety during inspection1.7Prior documentation1.8Inspection forms1.9Bridge management systems1.10Case study: inspection form for an overbridge
2.1Concrete cracking and its interpretation2.2Reinforcement corrosion2.3Spalling and efflorescence2.4Damage to prestressing2.5Corrosion in steel structures2.6Fatigue cracks in welds2.7Foundation scour2.8Damage to bearings and joints2.9Severity classification2.10Practical exercise: damage mapping of a deck
3.1Rebound hammer3.2Ultrasonic pulse velocity3.3Corrosion potential3.4Electrical resistivity3.5Carbonation depth3.6Cover meter and concrete cover3.7Ground-penetrating radar on decks3.8Impact-echo3.9Core extraction3.10Lab: testing campaign on a pier
4.1Magnetic particle testing4.2Liquid penetrant testing4.3Ultrasonic testing of welds4.4Thickness measurement4.5Inspection of cables and stays4.6Underwater inspection4.7Thermography4.8Drones and photogrammetric inspection4.9Personnel qualification4.10Practical exercise: ultrasonic testing of a welded joint
5.1Combined interpretation of tests5.2Correlation between techniques5.3Estimating concrete strength5.4Diagnosis of causes5.5Prognosis of deterioration5.6Intervention recommendations5.7Urgency and prioritisation5.8Writing the report5.9Integration into the management system5.10Case study: principal inspection report
6.1Selection of the bridge6.2Document review6.3Inspection plan6.4Means of access6.5Testing campaign6.6Analysis of results6.7Diagnosis6.8Proposed actions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Agisoft Metashape, GSSI RADAN, Screening Eagle Workspace and QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: NDT campaigns on piers, drone inspection and photogrammetry, and damage mapping of decks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: EN 12504-1, EN 12504-2, EN 12504-4, ASTM C876, ISO 9712, EN 13018, ASTM D6087.
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.
- 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 Agisoft Metashape, GSSI RADAN, Screening Eagle Workspace and QGIS, 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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