Geotechnical study in Sueca

In Sueca, fine sands and silts predominate, accompanied by a significant presence of white or soft expansive clays. These materials have limited bearing capacity and may require deep foundations or systems that compensate for the low consistency, especially in the presence of surface water bodies that worsen the hydrogeotechnical behaviour and can reduce the stability of shallow supports. Although there is a smaller proportion of gravels and compact sands, their distribution is so irregular that it usually does not decisively influence the overall selection of the foundation system.

Seismic activity in Sueca is very low, with only five events in the last thirty years and a maximum recorded magnitude of 3.3; therefore, structural design does not require special measures against earthquakes. No karst processes have been observed in the area, and the available information indicates a non-clayey substrate in geotechnical foundations; this implies that there are no risks associated with ground expansivity. The main geotechnical constraint is the poor competency of the near-surface horizons dominated by fine-grained materials and the possible presence of water masses; these factors require specific characterisations for safe foundation design.