[thackney]

Wouldn’t the rebar embedded the concrete tend to span sinkholes until the void became so large that the design loads were exceeded?

Yes, but the foundation was designed to be supported by soil throughout the entire base. It quickly exceeds design without that support. It was a slab, not a bridge.

Watch for building codes make every house slab self supporting from the perimeter of the home.

Maybe they will also pass legislation that requires sinkholes to only form inside the perimeter of the home and forbid any sinkholes that form on the edges.

These sink holes rarely reach the surface and stay small. It is foolish to think you are going to design to keep the foundation intact while the soil continues to cave away.

[George from New England]

Insurance adjuster ...

The lost life is not covered by the policy but the clothing the victim was wearing at the time will be reimbursed. Here is $10.

[rockrr]

Wouldn’t it be easier to simply outlaw sinkholes?

/sarc