Estudio geotécnico in Arenas de Iguña

In Arenas de Iguña, the dominant subsoil is composed mainly of sandstones, conglomerates and flysch, complemented by a significant presence of limestones, dolomites and marbles. These materials generally offer a good bearing capacity for foundations, although the heterogeneity of the flysch may require detailed studies to identify less competent strata. The occasional appearance of gypsum, anhydrite and salts introduces a potential risk of dissolution phenomena, particularly in areas where these materials crop out close to the surface. The presence of discontinuous aquifers makes it necessary to carry out an appropriate investigation of the groundwater level before defining the foundation level.

The ground shows a notable level of seismicity, with 145 recorded events over the last 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 4, which requires careful analysis of the local seismic response in structural design, even though the maximum magnitude is not extreme. The geological setting, strongly influenced by carbonate formations, reveals a possible development of karstification; therefore, it is essential to verify the existence of cavities or karst conduits before carrying out the foundations. The absence of clayey soils rules out the risk of expansivity, placing the main focus on investigating karst cavities and dissolution episodes associated with gypsum as the priority geotechnical conditioning factors.