Geotechnical study in San Clemente

The subsoil of San Clemente is composed mainly of limestones, dolomites and marbles, which account for more than half of the materials present and provide a robust foundation with good bearing capacity for typical foundations. To a lesser extent, sandstones, conglomerates and flysch are also found, as well as intervals of gypsum, anhydrite and salts, together with slates and schists. It is important to consider the dissolution risk associated with the gypsum and salts present, which could affect stability if not properly identified. To ensure foundation safety, it is essential to carry out a detailed geotechnical study that verifies the presence and degree of karst-related impact in the area before designing the foundation.

The municipality shows moderate seismicity, with 18 recorded events over the last 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 3.6, so the seismic risk must be assessed appropriately, although it is not considered decisive for conventional structural design. The presence of a non-clayey bedrock rules out the existence of expansive soils as the main geotechnical constraint. However, the occurrence of karst phenomena and the potential dissolution risk in gypsum-bearing levels are the main geotechnical factors to be analysed in geotechnical study works in San Clemente.