Geotechnical study in Boadilla del Monte

In Boadilla del Monte, soils of sandstones, conglomerates and flysch predominate, which generally provides a good bearing capacity for conventional foundations in buildings. The occasional presence of limestones, dolomites and marbles is very low, so the municipality’s geotechnical behaviour is mainly governed by the detrital materials, which provide a relatively stable structure. The existence of extensive and discontinuous aquifers requires prior characterisation of the groundwater level and of the possible lateral variability of the materials, thereby conditioning the type, depth and optimum foundation solution, especially in areas where higher saturation levels may be reached.

Seismicity in Boadilla del Monte is very low, with only 5 events over 30 years and an estimated maximum magnitude of 3, so this factor does not represent a significant constraint for geotechnical design. Risks due to karst activity should not be expected given the negligible percentage of limestones and dolomites. However, it is important to highlight the presence of non-expansive or dispersed clays in non-clayey matrices, which implies a potential risk of expansivity that must be verified at specific points during the geotechnical study campaign in order to avoid adverse effects from heave in shallow foundations.