I’ve attached a new draft image to preview, before finalizing. I’d like to hear any valuable feedback from the forum. Thanks for your help!
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Same as:
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Looks pretty good Zack but would be good if a cracked footing was shown in the drawing.
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Soil is typically deposited in layers. It would be more realistic if the foundation was supported on multiple layers with the layer under the foundation labeled as shrink-swell clay or just expansive clay layer
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Is the image meant to depict a catastrophic water management failure, such as broken water or sewer line or a downspout discharging at the foundation? I can’t think of any other reason why there would be a ball of wet expansive soil under the house.
The image seems to imply that the only cause of a v-shaped crack in the foundation wall could be from expansive soil. I can think of other reasons why a v-shaped crack would appear from differential movement.
Now, will we get a whole troop of inspectors who can see a V-shaped crack, diagnose the issue, automatically attributing it to expansive soil?
IMO, a V-shaped crack can be caused by settlement or movement. The cause of the movement may not be apparent.
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We have expansive soils here. Every home and building I ever built has caissons to bedrock. Cardboard void forms are placed under the concrete foundation walls.
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Agree. Many areas of the country have expansive clays, but it is the wet-dry-wet cycling that is the big cause of the problems with it, particularly here.
Inadequate site prep is a huge trigger for foundation settlement even around here.
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I would rephrase the entire illustration.
What forces can contribute to a V-shaped crack? Up in the middle and/or down at the ends. And subsequent scenarios.
Or possible results or complications from expansive soils.
It almost looks as if you are auguring through some kind of volcanic ash in that pic?