Geotechnical study in Olula del Río

In Olula del Río, the geotechnical substrate is dominated by slates and schists, which gives the ground a medium to low bearing capacity, conditioning the selection and depth of the foundations. The secondary presence of fine sands, silts, and to a lesser extent gravels and compact sands, indicates certain local changes in the geomechanical characteristics, while the occasional appearance of carbonated materials such as limestones, dolomites and marbles requires considering local variations in the bearing capacity and possible heterogeneities in the ground.

The municipality’s seismicity is moderate, with 15 recorded events over 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 2.7, so the seismic risk remains low. Given that the substrate is mostly non-clayey, expansiveness is ruled out as a factor of concern in geotechnical design. However, the local development of karst associated with the carbonated formations requires the specific verification of karst-related phenomena before defining any foundation, as cavities or unstable zones could appear; this is the main constraint to analyse in the geotechnical studies for the area.