Vantage Data Center: Durable, Dense Concrete

E5® Internal Cure densified the concrete matrix in underground duct banks so heat could dissipate more efficiently, supporting higher ampacity, reliability, and long-term durability in “Data Center Alley.”

Download the Case Study

Get the E5® Spec Package

Project Snapshot

Owner / Campus: Vantage Data Centers (Ashburn, VA) — 52-acre development
Scope: Underground electrical infrastructure (duct banks / power corridors)
Concrete Placed: 4,000 cubic yards
Products Used: E5® Internal Cure
Project Team: HITT Contracting (GC); Century Concrete (concrete); Vulcan Materials (supply)
Why E5®: Lower thermal resistivity (better heat dissipation), reduced permeability/microcracking, faster slab readiness.

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers develops and operates large-scale, multi-building hyperscale campuses for cloud and enterprise customers. Their facilities prioritize power density, uptime, and rapid delivery—placing exceptional demands on subgrade power infrastructure and slabs.

The Challenge

Modern data centers impose continuous, high electrical loads. Underground duct banks must shed heat efficiently to protect cabling and equipment while also resisting moisture, freeze–thaw cycles, and thermal cycling over decades of operation. Construction teams also need predictable placement/finishing and fast access for downstream trades.

The E5 Solution

E5® Colloidal Nano Silica (E5® Internal Cure) refines pore structure and increases concrete density, lowering thermal resistivity so heat dissipates more effectively from buried power corridors—supporting higher ampacity and reliability. The denser matrix also reduces permeability and microcracking, improving durability against moisture and environmental stresses. Field crews reported more efficient hydration, improved finishability, fewer callbacks with variable aggregates and weather, and faster readiness for coatings, polishing, and rack installation—helping compress schedules.

Products Used

Built-In Performance: The E5® System Behind the Results. This project’s outcomes weren’t accidental—they were engineered into the slab. By pairing the right admixtures and surface systems, we delivered internal curing, faster access, and a harder, more resilient finish that stands up to real-world demands.

E5® Internal Cure

Thermal & Durability Gains from Within

Precisely sized nano silica binds early in hydration, densifying the matrix to improve thermal conductivity, reduce permeability, and mitigate microcracking—key for long-life underground electrical infrastructure.

E5® Internal Cure

Schedule/Construction Constraints

Century Concrete and HITT Contracting needed predictable placement and finishing in variable weather and with changing aggregate sources, plus faster readiness for coatings, polishing, and rapid equipment set. E5® improved hydration/finishability, reduced callbacks, and helped accelerate downstream rack assembly and installation.

Performance Needs

Underground power corridors required concrete with lower thermal resistivity so heat could flow away from conductors, increasing ampacity and reducing the risk of overheating. The mix also needed low permeability and resistance to microcracking to protect against moisture ingress, freeze–thaw, and thermal cycling over the facility’s life.

Project Overview

Vantage’s Ashburn campus sits at the heart of a high-density data-center cluster. By densifying the duct-bank concrete with E5® Internal Cure, the team improved heat dissipation and long-term durability while simplifying curing and gaining earlier access for fit-out—key advantages when delivering power-intense facilities on aggressive schedules.

How E5 Elevated Performance

Thermal performance: Lower thermal resistivity for better heat flow from duct banks; improved reliability and extended lifecycle of buried electrical components.
Durability: Reduced permeability and microcracking to resist moisture and environmental cycles.
Constructability & speed: More efficient hydration and finishability, fewer callbacks, earlier readiness for coating/polishing and rack install.
Sustainability & consistency: Supports lower-carbon mix designs and consistent performance despite variable aggregates and weather.

Vantage Data Center: Durable, Dense Concrete

Project Snapshot

About Vantage Data Centers

The Challenge

The E5 Solution

Products Used

E5® Internal Cure

52 Acres

4,000 yd³

Schedule/Construction Constraints

Performance Needs

Project Overview

How E5 Elevated Performance

Related Case Studies

Ready to replicate this result?