The Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP) has tapped construction materials testing and engineering giant Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE) to measure a set of low embodied carbon concrete mixes for their potential in data center floors. The mixes use supplementary cementitious materials plus a portland cement alternative binder. Derived from feedstocks and commercially available processes, the latter is yet to be used at large scale given perceived and technical implementation risks. The “greenest” of four mix designs subject to WJE evaluation achieves a greater than 50 percent carbon impact reduction as measured against conventional concrete.
WJE hosted a four-slab placement and finishing demonstration last month at its Northbrook, Ill. headquarters. Joining OCP leaders for the event were Amazon Web Services, Google, Meta and Microsoft senior engineering team members, plus representatives from the White House Council on Environmental Quality; White House Office of Science & Technology; U.S. Department of Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; Natural Resources Defense Council; Rocky Mountain Institute; and, Urban Land Institute.