Geotechnical study in San Vicente de la Sonsierra

In San Vicente de la Sonsierra, soils formed by sandstones, conglomerates and flysch-type formations predominate, providing a solid foundation for shallow and deep foundations, thanks to their high bearing capacity and compressive strength. Deposits of fine sands, silts and compact gravels appear occasionally, introducing some degree of heterogeneity, whereas limestones, dolomites and marbles, although infrequent, may show local variations in stiffness. The high permeability of the groundwater aquifers present supports efficient drainage management; however, the groundwater table level should be studied before any intervention involving a mass of water.

Seismic activity in this municipality is very low, with only a single minor event and a maximum magnitude of 1.5 over thirty years, so seismicity does not constitute a relevant constraint for structural design. Nevertheless, the presence of calcareous formations means that the potential development of karst-related phenomena should be assessed before carrying out the foundations, as cavities or dissolution processes may exist that could affect stability. In addition, the absence of clayey soils eliminates the risk of expansivity, placing karst control as the main factor to consider in any geotechnical study in San Vicente de la Sonsierra.