Structural Footing Assessment Needed

Job ID: 40257109

Budget: $250 – $750 USD

I need clear, professional guidance on whether an additional footing is required beneath a particular section of my soon-to-be-framed house. The slab-on-grade foundation is already poured with perimeter and interior footings, yet my framer flagged one area that may need extra support. The soil on site is predominantly clay, and I have not observed any settling or cracking, so I want to be certain before we start standing walls.

You’ll receive the architectural plans, footing layout, photos, and measurements of the critical zone. After reviewing, I’d like you to run the necessary load calculations, reference the current code, and recommend one of two outcomes:

1. Confirm the existing design is adequate.
2. Provide a detailed design (drawings, specs, and calculations) for an added footing or grade beam, ready for permit submission.

Please outline the analysis you intend to perform (finite-element, hand calcs, soil bearing checks, etc.) and the software you’ll use—STAAD, RISA, SAP2000, or similar—so I know the approach fits the scope. A stamped document for my state would be ideal, but let me know if you can at least supply preliminary engineering that I can take to a local engineer for stamping.

I’m aiming for a quick turnaround so framing can stay on schedule. Let me know your availability and any information you need right away.

On the JPEG photo, is a screenshot of the basement plan. I've highlighted in red everywhere we put a footing to support the exterior or load bearing walls. My framer is concerned that there is no footing where I drew the blue box. He said the stairs go up 2 flights and that we should cut the slab open, excavate down, and pour a better footing to support the stairs. My question is if this is necessary or can the exterior walls handle the load bearing?

Also, would like someone with a PE stamp to stamp the response in case building department asks.

Thanks,
Alex