Microcredencial in Inspection and diagnosis of existing buildings and infrastructure

This micro-credential develops learner-centred competences for inspecting and diagnosing existing buildings, enabling participants to make rehabilitation decisions grounded in the conservation state. Learning is organised around authentic professional tasks in a blended-learning format, combining online and face-to-face sessions. Participants investigate buildings in reinforced concrete, steel, masonry and timber, using inspection evidence to justify maintenance priorities and intervention strategies that extend service life, reduce waste and support sustainable rehabilitation.

Teaching is theoretical and practical and participatory. Short lectures introduce rehabilitation frameworks, diagnosis concepts, inspection methodologies and reporting, then learners apply them through case study discussion, guided problem solving and critique. Using observation tools and anomaly catalogues, learners analyse degradation agents, recognise constructive anomalies and determine probable causes. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on contact with complementary techniques, including destructive and non-destructive tests, data analysis and an introduction to structural monitoring, so learners can validate diagnostic hypotheses and select suitable tests.

Assessment is practice-based through two applied assignments using project-based learning and problem-solving-based learning. Each contributes 50 per cent and culminates in an inspection and diagnosis report aligned with a defined intervention strategy.