Estudio geotécnico in San Felices de Buelna

In San Felices de Buelna, the subsurface is composed mainly of sandstones, conglomerates and flysch, offering a dominant lithology with high strength and low deformability, which favours a good bearing capacity for direct foundations. The secondary presence of limestones, dolomites and marbles implies areas where competent rock can provide optimal conditions for transmitting structural loads. Fine sands and silts are infrequent and, owing to their lower bearing capacity and higher compressibility, it is advisable to assess their localised presence before defining the foundation type.

Seismicity in this municipality is notable, with 145 recorded events over the last three decades and a maximum magnitude of 4, which indicates that seismic risk should be analysed even though it is not extreme. The possible existence of karstification in the carbonate formations makes it necessary to carry out a specific investigation to rule out cavities or instabilities before proceeding with the foundation. The non-clayey bedrock in San Felices de Buelna removes concerns about expansivity problems; therefore, verification of karst risk and appropriate adaptation to seismicity are the main determining factors of the local geotechnical study.