Estudio geotécnico in Sigüenza

In Sigüenza, soils of gypsum, anhydrite and salts predominate; their high frequency implies the need to take extreme precautions regarding the possible dissolution of these materials, which can cause subsidence and loss of bearing capacity in foundations. In addition, the occasional presence of sandstones and conglomerates, as well as limestones and dolomites, provides limited lithological variability, but in general the substrate has very low permeability, which restricts the discharge of water and may favour dissolution processes in the vicinity of shallow foundations. It is crucial to avoid direct foundation on areas with easily soluble or altered materials.

Seismicity in the area is very low, with only 6 events in the last 30 years and an Mmax of 2, which minimises the need for strict seismic criteria in structural design. However, a detailed check must be carried out on the potential development of karstification processes, given the significant proportion of soluble materials. The non-clayey substrate rules out the risk of expansivity, but the main geotechnical factor is the potential for dissolution and subsidence associated with gypsum and salts, as well as the possible presence of karst cavities, which must be identified before defining any foundation support.