Geotechnical study in Mas de las Matas

In Mas de las Matas, soils are predominantly composed of gypsum, anhydrite and salts—materials that usually exhibit variable mechanical behaviour and low bearing capacity, with added risks due to their potential for dissolution. Sandstones, conglomerates and flysch are also present, along with calcareous materials such as limestones, dolomites and marbles in smaller proportions. These formations, especially the gypsum-bearing ones, require a detailed geotechnical study to correctly define the foundation, paying particular attention to the presence of groundwater and the depth of the water table, as dissolution and subsidence processes may occur.

Seismic activity in the municipality is very limited, with only three events over thirty years and a Mmax of 1.6, which minimises concern about seismic actions in structural design. However, the existence of a potentially karstic environment implies the possible appearance of cavities or localised sinkholes, which requires prior verification before the foundation. The non-clayey substrate rules out expansivity risks, so the main factor governing the geotechnical study in Mas de las Matas will be the behaviour of the soluble materials and the investigation of karst-related phenomena.