Estudio geotécnico in Montealegre del Castillo

In Montealegre del Castillo, carbonate materials predominate, such as limestones, dolomites and marbles, accompanied by compacted gravels and sands that occur regularly. These subsoils provide good bearing-capacity conditions and typically allow for conventional shallow foundations. However, the occasional presence of fine sands and silts, as well as gypsum, anhydrite and salts, may require additional stability studies due to their potential for dissolution, especially in areas where these materials crop out or are close to foundation level.

Seismic activity in the area is classified as moderate, with 19 events over 30 years and an Mmax of 2.8, so the seismic influence on structural design is limited. It is important to highlight that the subsoil is not clayey, which rules out the risk of expansivity. However, given the karstic characteristics of the ground, it is essential to carry out a detailed check for the existence of cavities or instabilities associated with karst before executing the foundation, since this factor is the main geotechnical constraint in the municipality.