Geotechnical study in Villacastín

Villacastín is mainly founded on a bedrock consisting of granite, gneiss and igneous rocks, which gives the ground a high strength and generally favourable bearing capacity for most shallow and deep foundations. Specific areas with compact gravels and sands also allow good conditions for foundation support, although they require local verification of density and compaction. Limestone and dolomitic formations, which are present occasionally, are accompanied by generally low permeability; therefore, the presence of groundwater is rarely a critical factor. The lithological alternation indicates that the choice of foundation system should be adapted to the point-by-point characterisation of each plot through a specific geotechnical study.

With regard to seismic hazard, Villacastín shows moderate seismicity with 15 events over the last 30 years and an observed maximum magnitude of 1.9, levels that do not imply significant structural restrictions for typical buildings. The non-clayey substrate eliminates concern about expansivity, with no risk associated with soil swelling. In addition, no karst-related phenomena have been detected that would condition the foundations, so the main variable to control will be the local characterisation of the ground and the hydrogeological intervention where shallow aquifers exist.