Estudio geotécnico in Folgueroles

In Folgueroles, the predominant soils are white or soft expansive clays, which make up around 69% of the substrate and pose a significant challenge in determining bearing capacity, as these materials have low strength and can undergo substantial volumetric changes with moisture. In addition, in smaller proportions there are sandstones, conglomerates and flysch, together with some local episodes of limestones, dolomites and marbles. The latter may be associated with a higher bearing capacity depending on their degree of alteration and fracturing, although the clayey strata mainly govern the foundation design.

Seismicity in Folgueroles is very low, with 5 recorded events over 30 years and a low maximum magnitude of 1.6, which means that seismic action is not usually a determining factor in structural design. However, the presence of carbonate formations implies a possible development of karst, so it is essential to investigate the existence of cavities or dissolution processes before defining the type of foundation to be used. The absence of a dominant clayey substrate expressly rules out the risk of expansivity for most foundation solutions. Therefore, the possible presence of karst is the aspect that most conditions the geotechnical study in this municipality.