Geotechnical study in San Antonio de Benagéber

In San Antonio de Benagéber, the predominant substrate is mainly made up of limestones, dolomites and marbles, which gives the ground a high bearing capacity and ideal conditions for conventional shallow foundations. The occasional presence of white or soft expansive clays is not sufficiently significant to affect the foundations, whereas areas with marl and hard clays appear very infrequently and can be readily identified by an appropriate geotechnical study. The high permeability typical of these aquifers ensures adequate drainage of the ground in most circumstances.

With regard to seismicity, San Antonio de Benagéber shows moderate activity, with 27 events in the last 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 3.4; these values do not entail special requirements for most projects. The development of karst processes on the carbonate rocks, however, must be carefully verified before carrying out any foundation work, since voids of different sizes may exist. Given that the substrate is not clayey, the risk of expansiveness is ruled out and the main factor to take into account is the possible presence of underground cavities associated with karst.