Uriel & Asociados has taken an active part in Geological-Geotechnical and material reuse study edition for several civil engineering projects all over Spain. ESTEYCO, SESTRA, AYESA or INGECONSULT are some of our regular clients.
Detailed geological analysis are produced in order to design a correct ground investigation campaign and to reduce the possible uncertainties for foundation and earthwork design.
Detailed material reuse studies are performed in order to locate the possible sources of fill materials, optimize the reuse of excavated materials and to reduce the quantity of leftover materials (due to the high economic and environmental cost associated to them).

As an example, some of the projects we have been working on during the last years are shown in the forthcoming paragraphs:

Construction project for the extension to 6 lanes of Highway A-8 between Zumaia and Zarautz

Client: SESTRA

The route studied had an approximate length of 10.5 km and it had several nearly 50 m high cuts. Some of the existent structures were modified and so was Meagas tunnel. A new tunnel was constructed (Bedua’s tunnel).
An extensive ground investigation composed by boreholes, pit holes, seismic profiles and Ground-penetrating radar was necessary to study the route.
The aforementioned route was mainly located over marly limestone rocks that belong to calcareous flysch and detritic calcareous flysch, together with other Tertiary and Cretacic rocks and Quaternary colluvial, elluvial and alluvial soils.

Construction Project for Highway A-14 between Lérida and the French border. Geology and Geotechnics of the route. Section: Benabarre (East)-Viacamp

Client: ESTEYCO

The route length was approximately 12 km and had an important number of cuts and embankments due to the rough topography of the area.
The route was mainly located over alternating Tertiary shales, sandstones and conglomerates covered by Quaternary colluviums .
An extensive ground investigation composed by boreholes, pit holes, dynamic penetrations and seismic profiles was necessary to study the route.

Basic construction project for the Olivar Highway. Section: Doña Mencía – N-432 crossing (Luque)

Client: AYESA

The length of the studied section was approximately 12 km and it was located in Cordoba. The aforementioned section contained embankments and cuts of different heights, bridges, and cut-and-cover tunnels near Doña Mencía.
The aforementioned route was located over Triassic gypsum marls, Jurassic limestone and several Quaternary formations.
An extensive ground investigation composed by boreholes, pit holes, dynamic penetration tests and seismic profiles was necessary.

Tender project of Jucar’s Highway. Section I: Cuenca – Road N-III Connection, Subsection 1: Cuenca-KP 20+400

Client: Grupo de constructoras

The length of the studied route was approximately 20.4 km and it contained several cuts and embankments of different height, 2 bridges, 7 overpasses and 9 underpasses.
The aforementioned route was located over Tertiary and Cretacic clayey sands and over Mesozoic carbonitic rocks with a Quaternary cover made up of several soil types.
Two extensive ground investigations composed by boreholes, pit holes and dynamic penetration tests were necessary.

Design project of Road N-629 between Burgos and Santander. Section: Ramales de la Victoria Ringroad (K.P. 64.8 to 69.8). Santander.

Client: INGECONSULT

The length of the studied route was approximately 5 km and implied the construction of high embankments and cuts and even tunnels (tunnels were not investigated at this stage) due to the rough topography of the area.
The aforementioned route was located over limestone and detritic Mesozoic rocks with a scarce colluvial-elluvial cover.
An extensive ground investigation composed by boreholes, pit holes, dynamic penetration tests and seismic profiles was necessary.
The most relevant aspect of this report was the rock mass stability in the cut slopes. Gentle slopes were recommended in cases where potential planar or wedge instabilities were detected. In other cases stabilization measures such as rock bolts, rock protection barriers or shotcrete were recommended.

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