LOCAL NEWS | Upcoming Webinar Constructing Data Centers with Lower Carbon Concretes

Data centers are essential to the growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital services, but their construction can create a substantial embodied-carbon footprint. Because concrete is used extensively throughout these facilities, it represents one of the most immediate opportunities for reducing construction-related emissions.

In this complimentary one-hour webinar, WJE engineers Thomas Van Dam and Todd Nelson will share practical approaches to incorporating lower-embodied-carbon concrete into data center projects. They will explore how to establish achievable carbon-reduction targets, assess concrete mixtures using environmental product declarations, and develop concrete mixtures that preserve constructability, strength, schedule reliability, durability, and abrasion resistance.

Particular attention will be given to the challenges that distinguish data center construction, including accelerated schedules, large concrete placements, slab construction, and regional material constraints.

By attending, you will be able to:

• Explain why lower carbon concrete is important in data center construction
• Develop an understanding of strategies that can be utilized to lower the embodied carbon in concrete mixtures
• Learn how to assess concrete mixtures for data center specific challenges: constructability, strength, durability, and abrasion
• Describe the value of rigorous laboratory testing and mock-up/demonstration projects for implementation in data center construction

There will be plenty of time for your questions during the presentation. Attendees are eligible for one American Institute of Architects (AIA) HSW Learning Unit.

DETAILS

Constructing Data Centers with Lower Carbon Concretes
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time

REGISTER

This is Part 1 of a two-part webinar series on data center construction. Details on Part 2 can be found below. Follow the link above to register for either webinar or for both.

Part 2: Building Enclosures for Data Centers
Tuesday, January 19, 2027
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time

Whether adapted from an office building or constructed new, data centers need enclosures that manage rainwater, limit air exchange, mitigate condensation, reduce energy consumption, and ensure durability across assemblies. These considerations are heightened by mission-critical operations and potentially varying interior environments. Part 2 will explore adaptive reuse and new construction case studies showing how thoughtfully applied design strategies can address these demands.