Estudio geotécnico in Cigales

In the municipality of Cigales, soils formed by limestones, dolomites and marbles predominate, which provides a compact and competent rock base for most buildings, promoting good bearing capacities. To a lesser extent, deposits of compact gravel and sand are also identified, which may offer suitable mechanical characteristics for shallow foundations, although their extent is limited. It is important to note the occasional presence of gypsum, anhydrite and salts; these materials may be subject to dissolution processes, which poses an additional risk to the stability of the foundations if they are found at depth or in proximity to high water-table levels.

The region shows high seismicity, with more than 200 events over 30 years and a maximum magnitude (Mmax) of 4.7; this factor requires incorporating seismic measures into the structural design of any project. Additionally, the karstic nature of the substrate, characteristic of the abundance of limestones, implies the possible existence of underground cavities or galleries, so it is essential to verify the absence of karstification before carrying out the foundations. The lack of an clayey substrate rules out risks of expansivity, with the control of the karstic formations and seismicity being the main factors conditioning the proper geotechnical approach in Cigales.