Geotechnical study in Alcaracejos

In the municipality of Alcaracejos, shale and schists predominate as subsoil materials, followed by granite, gneiss and other igneous rocks. These lithologies, generally compact and of low deformability, provide good load-bearing capacity conditions for shallow and deep foundations. It is important to note that there are small percentages of muds and peats of deltaic origin, which exhibit high compressibility and, therefore, are not suitable as a bearing stratum for foundations.

Seismicity in Alcaracejos is classified as high, with 195 recorded events over the last three decades, although the maximum magnitude observed (Mmax 3.3) is moderate and usually does not require special considerations for typical structures. The absence of karst and the predominance of a non-clayey substratum rule out risks associated with expansiveness or instability due to dissolution of materials. The fundamental factor for the geotechnical study will be to avoid founding in areas with muds or peats and to select foundations suited to the predominant bedrock nature.