Estudio geotécnico in Santa Coloma de Queralt

The municipality of Santa Coloma de Queralt is characterised mainly by the presence of sandstones, conglomerates and flysch—materials that make up close to 94% of the local subsoil. This type of foundation material is generally compact and competent, resulting in a good bearing capacity for shallow foundations. However, an occasional presence of gypsum, anhydrite and salts has been detected, which implies that although the risk is limited, there may be a potential for dissolution in specific areas; this local factor should therefore be assessed when designing foundations.

The municipality’s seismic activity is very low, with a single recorded event in the last 30 years and a low maximum magnitude (Mmax 1.5), so seismicity is not a relevant constraint. As for expansivity, the non-clayey substrate completely rules out the risk of expansive soils. The main aspect to be controlled during geotechnical studies is the eventual effect of gypsum, anhydrite and salts, due to their susceptibility to dissolution under certain hydrological conditions.