Designing a Data Center

[cetiger]

Is there any certain specifics (materials, overhead loadings from cable trays, etc.) you would suggest for designing a data center?

I have a client wanting to build a data center...the first for both of us. He's thinking about 3000sqft. I'm thinking a slab on grade with cast in place walls/fdns. spanning precast double T beams, perhaps cast in place roof, but I think the formwork may cost more money and time. I would think that a concrete structure would be a durable material, as well as a good insulator helping to make this structure more energy efficient when combined with the large cooling systems housed within.

 

[paddingtongreen]

Much depends on where you are. I imagine you are thinking of concrete walls and roof for reasons of security.

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

 

[cetiger]

The project will be located in South Carolina about 60 miles inland from the east coast.

 

[beton1]

Data centres will likely have a raised floor (access type floor panels). Majority of cable trays are under this floor. Condensers (there is a lot of heat generated) on the roof top will contribute to extra roof loads, unless you have room outside. You may also have some heavy weights (usually on slab/raised floor) for fire suppression system tanks.

 

[msquared48]

Paper storage, paper storage, paper storage!

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[cetiger]

Beton1...I've experienced other projects where the floor did have raised panels for IT or similar type rooms, but in this case the client would prefer to have everything overhead and accessible rather than elevating a floor. I'm sure that's reasonable...have any feedback on the idea?

 

[paddingtongreen]

You need to know what type of tray, how many trays and whether they might be stacked. You need to know the maximum number and sizes of conductors that will be permitted in any one tray so that you can estimate a maximum weight per foot, and thence, the load on your roof structure.Your client, or his electronic designer must supply the information to you.

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

 

[lkjh345]

If the cables are run overhead, be very generous on the load you assign to the cable trays in your design. A few data centers that I work with, when they are cahnging configuration of the equipment, do not remove the old cables if they are on the bottom of the tray. They simply abondon these cables and run new one.

As you can imaging, over the years, there ends up being a lot of abondoned cables sitting in the trays, and they become very heavy.

 

[cetiger]

To all: Thanks so much for your quick responses and sharing information.

One last question...assuming the electrical/computer designer supplies me with all necessary loadings superimposed on the structure, are the cable tray designs themselves typically done by the Structural EOR or is this a specialty item that typically is designed, fabricated and erected by a seperate sub-contractor? Meaning as the S-EOR, I would only provide design criteria and specs for the cable trays that would in turn be adhered to by the actual maker of the cable trays. I'm sure the final attachment to my structure would then fall back as part of my scope and callaboration with other trades involved.

 

[TDAA]

It was reported that a data center I worked on was designed for a 250psf floor load on all four floors. I was a bit surprised, but it made some sense according to the footing loads provided.

 

[paddingtongreen]

The trays are "off the shelf" items, usually supported from unistrut assemblies in my experience. Just web search "cable trays".

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.