Multicriterial analysis in the investigation of favorable areas for edifications with shallow and deep foundations in the Municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes is located on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city developed on a floodplain and as a consequence of this occupation it has experienced problems with the water table level, drainage system, soil carrying capacity and aquifers' contamination. The purpose of this paper was to accomplish a geological and environmental study, producing interpretive and derived geotechnical maps to analyze the degree of aptitudes or restrictions of the physical environment for urban expansion. In order to do this, the methodology of multicriterial analysis was used, combined with pedological indicators resulting in the elaboration of the Favorability Maps for Buildings (Shallow and Deep Foundations). The remote sensing tools, GIS and GPS, sped up the elaboration of the Information Plans. The maps generated in this work allow us to indicate problems in the physical environment serving as a guide to urbanization. It was verified that the city expands into unsuitable areas and it is recommended as areas for expansion those considered favorable in the outcomes of this research.