Estudio geotécnico in Quintana de la Serena

In Quintana de la Serena, the geological substrate is dominated by outcrops of granite, gneiss and other igneous rocks, which favours a high bearing capacity for shallow foundations. The slates and schists present also provide competent support, although with a somewhat lower strength than the igneous rocks. The occasional presence of fine sands, silts and looser deposits has little influence, given their limited distribution, whereas the levels of compact gravels and sands can provide a suitable alternative in specific areas. The hard formations, including overconsolidated marls and sandstones, are considered suitable for providing safe foundation support, provided that appropriate local characterisation is carried out.

The seismicity within the municipality is classified as notable, with 52 recorded events over the last three decades, although the maximum magnitude does not exceed 4.4. Therefore, while the seismic hazard is not extreme, it should be taken into account when assessing the seismic actions for structural design. With regard to expansivity, the non-clayey substrate rules out the presence of risks associated with soil swelling, which simplifies the choice of the foundation system. The essential geotechnical constraint in Quintana de la Serena lies in accurately characterising the rock outcrops in order to optimise the foundation design, under generally quite favourable conditions.