Geotechnical study in Albal

In Albal, the dominant geotechnical subsoil is formed by white, soft expansive clays, together with a significant proportion of fine sands, silts, and compact gravels. The presence of extensive, high-permeability aquifers indicates favourable hydrogeological conditions, although the nature of the clays may reduce bearing capacity and complicate the choice of foundation type. For all these reasons, it is essential to carry out a detailed investigation campaign to distinguish the location of unstable or potentially expansive layers, as well as the possible presence of water bodies that could influence settlements of the structures.

Seismicity in Albal is moderate, with 27 recorded events over 30 years and a maximum magnitude below 4.5, which minimises the seismic contribution to design but does not rule it out completely. The subsoil shows a certain degree of localised expansivity in delimited areas, meaning that attention must be paid to the selection of the founding depth and the type of foundation. In addition, the possible presence of karst requires prior checks to avoid subsidence or instability beneath the footings. In short, the municipality’s main geotechnical limitation lies in the heterogeneity of the fine-grained materials and in controlling potential karstic cavities.