Estudio geotécnico in Samos

In the municipality of Samos, substrates of phyllites and schists predominate, occurring across more than 80% of the territory, accompanied only very occasionally by fine sands and silts. These metamorphic rocks, generally competent, provide a suitable basis for foundations, although their low permeability must be taken into account, as this limits the dissipation of water and favours the occurrence of shallow aquifers in certain areas. The bearing capacity of the phyllites and schists is usually favourable for most structural solutions, but it is recommended that the near-surface weathering and the presence of discontinuous layers of looser material be analysed, as these may require specific treatments before foundation works are carried out.

With regard to seismicity, Samos shows a notable level, with 91 recorded events over the last three decades and a maximum magnitude of 4.3, which makes it necessary to incorporate seismic criteria into structural design. On the other hand, although the main bedrock is not clayey, the area has a karstified potential; therefore, it is essential to verify the possible existence of cavities or dissolution processes before executing the foundation works, as these processes can affect ground stability. Thus, the main geotechnical constraint in Samos is the combination of discontinuous rock substrate with a risk of karstification, particularly in the pre-construction phases.