Geotechnical study in Villagonzalo

In Villagonzalo, the subsoil is dominated by compact gravel and sand, materials that provide good bearing capacity and allow for direct foundation in most cases. The local presence of overconsolidated clays and marls provides hard strata, suitable also for supporting structures, while episodes of granite, gneiss or schists add further strength. It is essential, however, to identify and avoid as a bearing level those sectors with masses of water, reducing the risk of settlement due to saturation.

Seismicity in the municipality is considered notable, with 52 events over three decades and an estimated maximum magnitude of 4.4; it is therefore advisable to pay attention to seismic building regulations in structural design. The non-clayey subsoil rules out significant risks of expansivity, and there is no presence of karst or of gypsum that would impose specific constraints. The most decisive factor in Villagonzalo for carrying out a proper geotechnical study will be the appropriate characterisation of the bearing layers according to local lithological heterogeneity and the management of the presence of groundwater.