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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Next-Generation Breakwaters and Maritime Structures
The Diploma in Next-Generation Breakwaters and Maritime Structures Prepares you to design and assess breakwaters and maritime structures to the standards a future climate demands. You will study how rubble mound, vertical and comp
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Next-Generation Breakwaters and Maritime Structures?
The Diploma in Next-Generation Breakwaters and Maritime Structures
Prepares you to design and assess breakwaters and maritime structures to the standards a future climate demands. You will study how rubble mound, vertical and composite breakwaters behave, overtopping and armour stability, special armour units and new materials, ecological design of structures and the upgrading of existing works for sea level rise, with a practical approach grounded in established technical guidance.
Key advantages
- Up-to-date approach: Designing maritime works with the climate of the coming decades in mind.
- Applied engineering: Stability, overtopping and foundations with worked examples.
- New solutions: Special armour units, alternative materials and ecological design.
- Existing assets: Assessing and strengthening breakwaters in service.
- Case study: Preliminary design and adaptation of a real breakwater.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know the types: Understand rubble mound, vertical and composite breakwaters.
- Calculate stability: Apply armour stability and overtopping criteria.
- Innovate with materials: Assess special units and next-generation concretes.
- Design with nature: Incorporate ecological design criteria.
- Boost your career: Open doors to maritime engineering firms, contractors and port authorities.
- Train to design maritime structures ready for the sea of the future.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Maritime Structures: Functions and Types
- Functions of protective works
- Rubble mound breakwaters
- Vertical breakwaters
- Composite and berm breakwaters
- Groynes and revetments
- Failure modes
- Design life and acceptable risk
- Technical guidance and manuals
02
Design Actions
- Offshore wave climate
- Wave transformation to the structure
- Wave breaking
- Design water level
- Selecting extreme events
- Sea level rise scenarios
- Currents and scour
- Design limit states
03
Stability of Rubble Mound Breakwaters
- Primary and secondary armour
- Natural rock armour
- Concrete armour units
- Stability formulae
- Damage and its progression
- Toe berms
- Crown walls
- Physical model testing
04
Vertical and Composite Breakwaters
- Concrete caissons
- Wave pressures
- Wave impacts
- Sliding and overturning stability
- Foundations and rubble bedding
- Perforated and absorbing breakwaters
- Caisson construction
- Common defects
05
Overtopping, Transmission and Reflection
- Wave overtopping
- Tolerable discharges
- Wave transmission
- Reflection and harbour agitation
- Submerged and low-crested structures
- Estimation tools
- Numerical modelling
- Measures to reduce overtopping
06
New Materials and Ecological Design
- High-durability concretes
- Concretes with recycled materials
- Textured units for colonisation
- Designing habitats on breakwaters
- Additive manufacturing as an emerging technique
- Carbon footprint of maritime works
- Ecological monitoring
- Limitations of new solutions
07
Upgrading and Adapting Existing Structures
- Breakwater inspection
- Condition assessment
- Raising crown walls
- Strengthening armour layers
- Additional berms
- Phased adaptive design
- Prioritising interventions
- Long-term maintenance
08
Case Study: Preliminary Design and Adaptation of a Breakwater
- Site selection
- Design wave climate
- Choice of structure type
- Stability calculations
- Overtopping estimate
- Ecological design proposal
- Future adaptation plan
- Technical report
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Civil and structural engineers: who want to specialise in maritime works Port authority engineers: who manage breakwaters and quays Marine contractors: who build protective structures Coastal engineering consultants: producing designs and studies Coastal authority staff: who oversee defence works
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Know the breakwater types
- 02Characterise design actions
- 03Apply stability criteria
- 04Assess overtopping
- 05Bring in innovation
- 06Adapt existing works
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Maritime structures engineer: Design and analysis of breakwaters and groynes.
02Port infrastructure engineer: Managing and maintaining protective works.
03Marine site manager: Delivering breakwaters and quays.
04Coastal engineering consultant: Options and adaptation studies.
05Inspection engineer: Condition assessment of existing works.
06Ecological design specialist: Integrating habitats into infrastructure.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Yes. You apply commonly used stability and overtopping formulae through worked examples.
Structures designed with climate scenarios, more durable materials and ecological criteria, alongside the classic design rules.
An engineering background helps, but previous experience in maritime works is not required.
No. It is a specialist qualification and does not replace the accredited degrees or chartered status required for that responsibility.
The preliminary design of a breakwater and a proposal for adapting it to sea level rise.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Next-Generation Breakwaters and Maritime Structures qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in civil, structural or naval engineering or a related field; or professional experience in maritime or port works. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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