Bearings without complex bracket strips
Fig. 1: Shear dowel replacing a bearing 
Fig. 2: Steel bearing 
Fig. 1 Clear slab view from below. Prefabricated system solutions for the support of precast reinforced-concrete components speed up the mounting process and increase the reliability as well as the quality of construction at the same time. Compared to bracket strips or notches which are conventionally applied for the support of precast components, the system solutions enhance the cost-efficiency as well as the utilization characteristics of a construction.
The manufacturers united in VBBF (German association for the promotion and development of fastening, reinforcement and façade technology) are jointly committed to realize efficient concrete construction methods and in addition they advocate a high standard of quality concerning smart system solutions in concrete and precast concrete construction.
An efficient construction method for supporting of precast concrete components is, for example, the steel bearing for TT floors, special bearings for staircases and stair landings as well as shear dowels to replace the bearing. They all have in common that they are able to replace conventional brackets, bracket strips or notches. As a result, no additional expenses will occur for complex formwork, just as there will not be any requirements for additional reinforcing steel against strong torsional stress in the bearing.
Even the building occupants benefit from the omission of the voluminous and optically not very appealing continuous bracket strips in their buildings. In case of parking garages, for example, it is no longer necessary to install a protection against pigeons. At the same time, the effect of bracket strips as dust catchers is avoided what ensures cleanliness in sensitive zones of paint shops, paper mills, or in the food industry. Furthermore, it may even be made better use of ceiling heights when using prefabricated bearings. This reduces the total building height and/or allows additional stories in case of a limited overall height. Because of these effects as well as the saving of time in addition, these bearing solutions may result in considerable cost reductions in comparison with conventional construction methods.
Further information about bearing systems as well as other up-to-date construction methods in the field of fastening and reinforcement technology are available at www.vbbf.de. ˘
