Data Center

Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S. for IT data center infrastructure. One of the newest data centers in the Atlanta area is in Lithia Springs, GA. It has a footprint of over one million square feet, generating a massive amount of stormwater runoff.

Naturally, surface detention was the first option engineers explored. The need for a large retaining wall, mosquito vector concerns and poor aesthetics led the project owners to seek an underground solution. With a storage volume of over 500,000 CF, the only viable options were corrugated metal pipe or concrete vaults. The engineer specified an underground detention system made from 3,134' of 162" diameter polymer-coated corrugated metal pipe (CMP) using VoidSaver™ technology manufactured by Contech Engineered Solutions.

Engineers would typically specify Aluminized Steel Type 2 in applications such as this. However, the owner requested the use of polymer-coated pipe to extend the service life of the system. Polymer-coated pipe is made from galvanized steel with a heavy-gage polymer coating, which protects against abrasion and corrosion. According to a 2012 study performed by the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA), polymer-coated CMP provides a 100-year service life in most environmental conditions. 

This system also used Contech's patented VoidSaver technology that protects stone void space from solids contamination and leverages stone detention storage to allow for smaller system footprints. The key to the technology is a specially designed overflow vent. As water fills the gasketed system, trash, debris, and suspended solids settle within the solid pipe rather than filling the stone void space and compromising the system. During large events, water fills the pipe, and the water discharges into the surrounding stone via the overflow vent. After the storm subsides, water within the pipe continues discharging, creating differential head pressure between the water within the pipe and water within the stone. This external driving head opens the one-way water return valves, allowing the pipe and stone to fully drain down together.

The extra storage capacity within the stone allowed engineers to design a system with about a 10% smaller footprint while not exceeding the post-construction peak flows for all recurrence intervals required. In addition, the system was designed so it would not utilize the stone storage until the 25-year storm event to provide long-term protection of the stone storage space.

This project had significant grading challenges as the system is located under a sloped section of the site.  As a result, Contech worked with the site geotechnical engineer to moderate the cross slope over the system to mitigate the potential unbalanced loads that would result from the original grading plan.  Reinforced earth-steepened slopes were designed into some areas to help with the overall grading plan. Extra reinforcing angle iron on the bulkheads were designed, and stamped drawings were provided by Contech's Chief Engineer, Darrell Sanders.  

Designing a system of this size is one thing. Manufacturing it, transporting it, storing it on an active construction site, and installing it is another. Shipping this 162" diameter CMP system would require hundreds of trucks with oversize permits and escort freight costs. It would also create logistical issues that had the potential to slow the installation and add to an already busy jobsite.  To eliminate these issues, Contech's MOBILE PIPE® mill was used to manufacture the pipe on-site. The pipe produced from the MOBILE PIPE mill meets the same levels of quality fabrication as does all Contech manufactured pipe. The production area only took the space of two semis, and the production was completed in less than three weeks. 

Brad Cole Construction installed the system over roughly one month at the beginning of 2021. Typical seasonal rain events posed one challenge, as did the placement of the stone backfill, the majority of which was placed using a conveyor belt system.  Even with these challenges, the installation went smoothly and was completed on time and on budget.

The design and construction team met with the owners every other week during a six-month design process developing storage calculations and multiple design iterations. When it came time to manufacture and install the system, a full pre-construction meeting took place at the job site with the contractor. Several additional on-site meetings with the owner, general contractor, and subcontractor were held throughout the installation, including a post-installation structural inspection by Contech personnel to ensure integrity and VoidSaver technology. 

The key to the project's success was built on the knowledge and experience of Contech Stormwater Engineers’ combined with a strong working relationship with the owner, general contractor and subcontractor. Together they designed, manufactured and installed a system that will protect the site for over 100 years.