Geotechnical study in Alcúdia

In Alcúdia, the dominant subsoil is composed mainly of fine sands and silts, which gives the area soils with low cohesion and variability in bearing capacity. These characteristics make it essential to pay particular attention to foundation design; it is recommended to use raft slabs or strip footings with a large plan area depending on the thickness of the compressible layers present. The occasional presence of gypsum, anhydrite and salts introduces a risk of dissolution that must be assessed carefully, while calcareous and dolomitic formations, although less frequent, can provide some additional strength. It is essential to consider the overall impermeability of the materials, as this affects water drainage and behaviour under load.

Seismicity in this municipality is very low, with only a single recorded event in the last 30 years and a low maximum magnitude, so relevant seismic constraints are ruled out in structural calculations. There are no risks associated with expansive soils, as the subsoil is not clayey. However, the presence of karst phenomena linked to carbonate materials and salts implies the need to thoroughly verify the existence of cavities before building, this being the main geotechnical constraint to be considered in construction projects in the area.