In the design of precast concrete elements with reduced thickness or a high density of reinforcement, the integration of supporting systems is a particularly delicate phase.
The space available inside the element may be limited by the presence of reinforcement bars, by the geometry of the manufactured element and by the positioning requirements of the inserts. In these conditions, the footprint of the system is not a secondary aspect: it directly affects the possibility of integrating the support into the manufactured element without introducing interference or unforeseen modifications.
Ercole Slim is the supporting system developed by B.S. Italia to meet these requirements. The compact configuration of the tube box makes it possible to limit the space required for inserting the component, while maintaining adjustability, geometric control and operational continuity during production, transport and installation phases.
Table of contents
This guide explores the main aspects of the Ercole Slim system in thin precast elements.
- The technical issue: integrating the support in reduced thicknesses
- The compact configuration of the tube box
- Millimetric adjustment along the three Cartesian axes
- Dry assembly and reduction of on-site operations
- Continuity between design, production and transport
- Standard and Plus families for different application conditions
- Ercole Slim in supporting systems for precast elements
- Frequently asked questions
The technical issue: integrating the support in reduced thicknesses
In thin precast elements, each component inserted into the casting must be assessed in relation to the space actually available.
The criticality increases when the element has a high density of reinforcement. The presence of reinforcement bars, stirrups and inserts can make correct positioning of the supporting system more complex, especially in areas where the geometry of the manufactured element imposes more restrictive dimensional constraints.
In this context, the objective is not simply to reduce the size of the component, but to maintain controlled behaviour of the system even with a compact footprint.
Ercole Slim addresses this requirement through a compact niche for the tube box, designed to occupy limited space inside the precast element. This allows the system to be integrated even in thin or heavily reinforced elements, reducing interference with the structural configuration of the manufactured element.
The compact configuration of the tube box
One of the distinctive elements of Ercole Slim is the reduced footprint of the tube box inserted into the structure.
The niche required to house the component occupies only a few centimetres and makes it possible to limit the size of the area prepared for the support. This aspect is particularly relevant in elements where the internal space must be managed carefully, without compromising the arrangement of the reinforcement or the geometry of the manufactured element.
Compared with the Ercole M.E. bracket, designed to adapt to different application configurations, Ercole Slim specifically responds to situations in which the space available inside the precast element is more limited.
The configuration of the system also makes it possible to reduce protrusions during the phases prior to assembly. The absence of protruding elements facilitates formwork and simplifies handling of the manufactured elements, making the transition from production to transport more linear.
The system is therefore not considered as an isolated component, but as a solution integrated into the operational cycle of the precast element.
Millimetric adjustment along the three Cartesian axes
The reduced footprint does not limit the possibility of controlling the position of the element during installation.
Ercole Slim allows millimetric adjustments along the three Cartesian axes, acting simultaneously on support height, projection and centre distance of the element.
This possibility makes it possible to manage the tolerances that may arise during assembly in a controlled way and to correct the position of the element without requiring additional work on site.
Adjustment plays a particularly important role when the manufactured element has thin geometries or restrictive installation conditions. In these cases, even limited deviations can affect correct installation of the precast element.
The presence of an adjustable system therefore makes it possible to transform a potentially critical phase into a more precise and repeatable operation.
Dry assembly and reduction of on-site operations
Another characteristic aspect of Ercole Slim concerns the dry assembly of the components.
The system allows assembly without welding or bolting, reducing the operations required during installation and simplifying insertion of the element into the planned configuration.
This behaviour makes it possible to limit additional operations on site and reduce the use of specialised personnel during assembly phases.
The speed of assembly must not be interpreted as a simplification of the behaviour of the system, but as the result of a configuration designed to coordinate the different components precisely.
Each element is integrated within a defined system, in which the installation phase represents the completion of a process that has already begun during design and production of the manufactured element.
Continuity between design, production and transport
The efficiency of Ercole Slim does not only concern the moment of installation.
The configuration of the system affects the entire production process of the precast element:
- during design, the availability of pre-calculated and certified variants makes it possible to identify the most suitable configuration for the application conditions;
- during production, the absence of protrusions facilitates the formwork of the elements and other manufactured components;
- during transport, the compact geometry reduces interference and simplifies handling;
- during installation, dry assembly and millimetric adjustment make it possible to control the positioning of the element.
The supporting system therefore becomes an integral part of the production and installation process of the precast element, helping to maintain continuity between the design phase and execution on site.
Standard and Plus families for different application conditions
Ercole Slim is available in two main families: Standard and Plus.
The Standard family includes brackets with a limited maximum projection, designed for configurations in which reduced footprint is a priority requirement.
The Plus family provides a greater projection, designed to improve suspension of manufactured elements with greater thicknesses.
The availability of several variants makes it possible to adapt the system to the geometric characteristics of the precast element and to the specific installation conditions, maintaining consistency between the configuration of the manufactured element, support capacity and assembly method.
The choice of variant must be made according to the actual design conditions and the actions to be considered. Ercole Slim brackets are designed to support vertical loads and must not be used for the application of horizontal actions.
Ercole Slim in supporting systems for precast elements
Ercole Slim is a specific solution for cases in which the supporting system must be integrated into thin precast elements, heavily reinforced elements or elements characterised by restrictive geometric constraints.
The reduced footprint of the tube box makes it possible to limit interference inside the manufactured element. Millimetric adjustment along the three axes allows the position of the element to be controlled during installation. Dry assembly contributes to making assembly more linear and reducing on-site operations.
Within the supporting systems for precast elements developed by B.S. Italia, Ercole Slim is therefore a technical solution designed to maintain precision, operational continuity and control even in configurations where the available space is limited.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ercole Slim used for?
Ercole Slim is a supporting system developed for integration into thin precast elements, heavily reinforced elements or elements with limited internal space.
What is the advantage of the compact tube box?
The compact configuration of the tube box reduces the footprint of the system inside the precast element, limiting interference with reinforcement, inserts and the geometry of the manufactured element.
Does Ercole Slim allow adjustment during installation?
Yes, Ercole Slim allows millimetric adjustment along the three Cartesian axes, making it possible to control the position of the element during assembly.
Does the system require welding or bolting on site?
The system allows dry assembly of the components, without welding or bolting, reducing the operations required during installation.
What loads are Ercole Slim brackets designed for?
Ercole Slim brackets are designed to support vertical loads and must not be used for the application of horizontal actions.
