Estudio geotécnico in Siete Aguas

In Siete Aguas, the most prominent substrate is made up of limestones, dolomites and marbles, which appear in more than half of the municipal area, providing a competent base with good bearing capacity for shallow or deep foundations. Outcrops of gypsum, anhydrite and salts, although less frequent, may pose risks associated with dissolution processes—an aspect to consider particularly in locations where these materials are present. Compacted gravel and sand layers, although occasional, also offer favourable conditions for foundation support; however, it is essential to identify their presence and local distribution when devising an optimal solution.

Seismicity in the area is very low, with only two events over thirty years and a maximum magnitude notably low, so it does not constitute a relevant constraint for structural design. Given the dominance of carbonate formations, the possible presence of karstic cavities requires an exhaustive verification through geotechnical tests prior to any foundation, to avoid instability risks. The non-clayey substrate rules out expansivity-related risks; therefore, the main constraint to address in Siete Aguas is the characterisation and assessment of the karst, especially in areas with gypsum and soluble formations.