Geotechnical study in Montilla

In Montilla, the ground is dominated by formations of limestones, dolomites and marbles, followed by fine sands and silts. These materials exhibit good overall bearing capacity, enabling conventional shallow foundations where the rocks crop out. However, the residual presence of silty or sandy levels may require a check of compaction or strength, while the occasional presence of groundwater means giving attention to the possible variability of moisture in the soft soils.

The municipality’s seismicity is very low, with barely 2 events over 30 years and a low maximum magnitude, so it does not represent a relevant constraint in design. Nevertheless, since the dominant formations are carbonate-based, it is essential to carry out a specific analysis to identify any possible karstic cavities before building, as karst is a potential risk to the integrity of the foundations. The absence of clayey strata rules out problems associated with expansive soils, establishing the presence of karst as the main aspect to control in the geotechnical study in Montilla.