Geotechnical study in Fuentes de Ebro

In Fuentes de Ebro, soils comprising gypsum, anhydrite and salts predominate, accompanied by fine sands, silts and, to a lesser extent, gravels, compact sands and carbonate formations. The frequent presence of gypsum and salts entails a potential risk of dissolution, which can affect the stability of foundations if adequate geotechnical characterisation is not carried out. The sands and silts, as well as the occasional presence of compact gravels, provide a variable bearing capacity; therefore, the choice of foundation type must be based on a detailed study to avoid differential settlements and structural defects.

Seismic activity in the area is moderate, with 16 events recorded over the last 30 years, although the maximum magnitude observed is low (Mmax 1.9), which does not represent a relevant constraint for structural design. The existence of karst in the carbonate bedrock implies the need to carefully verify the presence of cavities or dissolutions before building on it, given the vulnerability of the ground to subsidence processes associated with this. In addition, the absence of clayey soils eliminates the risk of expansiveness, confirming that the main geotechnical constraint in Fuentes de Ebro relates to dissolution processes and the possible presence of karst.