Estudio geotécnico in Cangas del Narcea

In Cangas del Narcea, the dominant substrate is composed of slates and schists, metamorphic materials characterised by high stiffness and strength, which favours a good bearing capacity for conventional foundations. The occasional presence of masses of water and the rarity of overconsolidated clays do not constitute a general constraint for the supports, although it is advisable to rule out localised areas with saturated soils, due to their low bearing capacity. In addition, the typical impermeability of these formations restricts the migration of groundwater, which may be beneficial for foundation stability.

Seismicity in the municipality is high, with 200 events recorded over the last three decades, although of moderate maximum magnitude (Mmax 3.8), which means that seismic risk is not decisive but recurrence of ground motions should still be assessed in the design of sensitive structures. The geotechnical study must take into account the presence of karst in the area, requiring rigorous verification of the possible development of cavities or dissolutions in the subsurface before designing any foundation. On the other hand, the non-clayey substrate rules out expansivity, concentrating the main constraint on controlling the risk of karst and on the local assessment of geological stability.