2024 Galleries

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Galleries // 2024 Spark:Spring Student // Power Pillar

Power Pillar

Entrant

Competition: Spark:Spring Student
Designer: Chen-Yen Tseng
Design Type: Transportation & Mobility
Company / Organization / School: Ming Chi University of Technology
Team Members: Wen-Yeh Shiao Lin, Yi-Shan Zheng, Prof. Kai-Chu Li

With the proliferation of electric vehicles, some experts are concerned that the weight of electric cars could potentially lead to collapses in multi-story parking garages. According to reports from The Telegraph, due to aging infrastructure in many parking facilities, engineers suggest increasing the load-bearing capacity of buildings and improving maintenance of parking structures. Power Pillar is a device that combines charging piles with architectural support structures and reinforcement concepts. It not only upgrades the infrastructure of parking lots but also prevents the collapse of floor slabs due to excessive loading, thereby reducing carbon emissions from subsequent repairs and saving repair costs. The top cross-shaped support structure allows the pillar to support stably after installation, and since the device is installed under the beam, it shortens the existing beam-column spacing and disperses the force. The material used is G550 galvanized zinc lightweight steel, which is rust-resistant, lightweight, and structurally strong, allowing for high load-bearing capacity with minimal weight. The internal grating optical fiber can detect the inclination or deformation of the pillar and the building, facilitating timely maintenance.

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Power Pillar is a charging pillar integrated with a structural support system, serving not only to upgrade parking facility infrastructure but also to prevent floor collapse due to excessive load.
With the proliferation of electric vehicles, some experts are concerned that the weight of electric cars could potentially lead to collapses in multi-story parking garages.
The G550 heat-treated aluminum-zinc alloy, known for its corrosion and heat resistance, is strong yet lightweight, making it an ideal primary material for Power Pillars.
Public parking facilities, managed primarily by governments and related organizations, face increasing demand due to post-pandemic changes in work patterns, necessitating upgrades and maintenance.
Strengthening the load-bearing capacity of parking lot floors through architectural reinforcement concepts and structural support principles.
Aluminum extrusions offer cost savings, environmental benefits, and low carbon emissions for the device. Additionally, optimized structural design maximizes floor support effectively.
Fiber optic technology detects both device and building tilting and mitigates the risk of tripping in dimly lit parking lots.
The minimum clear height for basement parking in a public building typically ranges from 2.1m to 2.4m.
Before installation Power Pillar, a structural engineer assesses the parking structure to ensure suitability.
By leveraging metal material properties and architectural reinforcement concepts, we strengthen parking garage floors, preventing collapses and expanding charging station availability.