Estudio geotécnico in Sant Joan de les Abadesses

In Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the superficial geology is composed mainly of sandstones, conglomerates and flysch, which dominate the area and provide a generally competent foundation for the construction of buildings. Soils display low contents of fine sands, silts and some white or soft expansive clays, although the latter appear only occasionally. The main formations have low superficial permeability; however, aquifers may be found at depth, which implies good bearing capacity for most foundation solutions, minimising the risks associated with differential settlement.

With regard to seismic hazard, Sant Joan de les Abadesses records only 4 events over the last 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 2.3, corresponding to very low seismicity that does not constitute a relevant factor in the geotechnical design of the area. No karst phenomena are identified in the municipality, and the description of the ground as a non-clayey substrate removes the risk of expansivity that could affect the stability of structures. The main constraint will therefore be to ensure an accurate assessment of the depth and continuity of the competent layers in order to achieve an optimal foundation.