Estudio geotécnico in Sant Esteve de Palautordera

In Sant Esteve de Palautordera, the subsoil is composed predominantly of compacted gravels and sands, which represent most of the ground and offer excellent bearing capacity for shallow foundations. Alongside these, sandstones, conglomerates and flysch appear in a notable way; all of them are competent materials that allow the safe transfer of loads. Slate and schists, which are less frequent, may exhibit some anisotropy, but their occasional occurrence limits their influence. In general terms, these characteristics make it possible to select conventional foundation types, adjusting in areas where fine sands or local alterations predominate.

Seismicity in the area is very low, with a record of only two events in thirty years and a slightly higher maximum magnitude, meaning that the seismic risk is practically negligible for structural design. With regard to expansivity, the absence of clayey soils rules out any associated risk from volumetric movements due to moisture alternations. Thus, the main factor to be assessed in the geotechnical study will be the detailed characterisation of the gravel and sand layer, ensuring an optimum choice of foundation type depending on whether or not there are shallow aquifers.