How to beef up a floor

[dug]

I am going to build a hearth using either brick or rock which I very roughly guestimate could weigh a couple thousand pounds. I want to strengthen the floor in that area and am looking for ideas as to the best and most efficient way to do it. Here is a photo of my floor framing and the general area the hearth will be-



Framing is 2 by 10, 24 inches OC. Hearth will be 4 by 4 ft. and centered apx. in the middle of the photo, a couple feet right of the center pier and a foot or so in front of the center beam. originally I was thinking of doubling the joists in that area, which I should have done during construction.  There is some wiring now in the way but it could be dealt with.

A friend who used to have a business repairing old, sagging foundations suggested I pour footings and post up in that area. I was thinking of a beam (4 by 10?) in the center of the hearth, running perpendicular to the floor joists, spanning 4 ft. and posted on each end might do the job.

Any opinions ore suggestions appreciated.

[rick91351]

Thanks Dug for confirming I am not the only one who before really is moved it is already remodeling!

I do like your friend's idea.  I think I would pour a footing as you state, get the beam set.  Jack it up just a little with like a bottle jack just to put a strain on it.  Then post up with timber or a couple Sonotubes, or maybe form up.  I think I would do Sonotubes they could be anchored to the footing, trimmed to what ever height.  They could be filled with a small bucket and hold a Simpson bracket to your beam.  It would be a pain filling them like that but do-able.    

[Don_P]

The best way is to start 4'x4' on the ground and header the floor system as it passes through. It could be mostly rubble down below and select out the nice rocks as you do the below floor work. Not as bad as it sounds if you have rocks close by.

[dug]

Plenty of rocks, not much but rocks!  I'll be getting busy on that soon, thanks!