Mark J. Farrow, P.E. 1

There have been many changes over the past 30 years in design and construction methodologies used for residential foundations on expansive clays. However, considering the rise in litigation and numerous  claims involving residential foundations on expansive clay soils, it is apparent that actual foundation performance is below acceptable standards expected by many home owners. Excessive distress to the largest personal property investment of a home owner leads to a high level of emotional distress which in turn  results in litigation. Most excessive residential distress that leads to litigation is due to the lack  of a reasonable approach in presenting alternative designs and stabilization methods to the home builder and/or the home owner. For effective improvements to be made for all residential developments, increased   involvement and enforcement at a municipal level is required. This paper presents several stabilization  and construction alterative that are available, economical and that should be used to minimize distress  to residential properties. It also presents a simple enforcement policy on a municipal level that could  be implemented for effective long term improvement to the home building industry.