Mi tesis doctoral lleva por título “Estudio Definición y cartografía de unidades geotérmicas en entornos urbanos: Salamanca y su zona de expansión”.
La realicé entre los años 2002 y 2007 gracias a una beca de investigación concedida por la Universidad de Salamanca, y estuve dirigido por los doctores J.A. Blanco y M.Yenes, ambos del Departamento de Geología de la Universidad de Salamanca.
Resumen
The city of Salamanca (200000 inhabitants) is located in the mid-western area of Spain. Its growth in recent years has led to the need for a comprehensive knowledge of the geology and geotechnical properties of the area. The best way to achieve this objective is to develop an engineering geological map, where different factors such as geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology and geotechnical properties are present. Each factor analyzed has its own map, and the overlapping of all the contents creates the engineering geological map.
The particular geological location of the city, within the boundaries of the Tertiary Duero Basin, is reflected in the geological and geomorphologic maps, where it is possible to distinguish between the Palaeozoic domain (slates and quartzites) and the Cenozoic sandstones and clays. On the other hand, on the hydrological map we show the drainage net as well as the position of the freatic level.
Identification and characterization tests were made with more than 250 soil and rock samples: particle size distribution tests, natural moisture content, apparent/dry density, Atterberg limits determination, swelling potential index, odometer consolidation, and shear tests for soils, dry and saturated density, point load test and uniaxial compression tests for rocks.
Strength properties for rock materials were studied under saturated and unsaturated conditions and compared with their microstructural features. For this purpose, thin sections and image analysis software were used.
All the information generated during this stage was introduced into a database, which was improved with the revision of geotechnical reports issued by public institutions (city and regional government), including drilling and laboratory testing.
Using this database, the different areas of Salamanca were grouped in geotechnical units, based on their physical and mechanical homogeneous behaviour.
The final cartography places all the defined units and gives their geomechanic characteristics parameters.
