Testing, Implementation of Low-Carbon ASTM C1157 Slag Cement Mix, AWS, New Carlisle, IN

Location: New Carlisle, Indiana

Award: Innovative Applications

Project Team

Owner: Amazon Web Services

Contractor: Clayco

Engineers: S.A. Miro, Inc., and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Architect: Gensler

Concrete: Concrete Strategies

Slag Cement: Ozinga

A recently completed data center campus in Indiana was constructed using ASTM C1157/C1157M compliant cements comprising high percentages of slag cement. Building on ambitious carbon reduction goals set by the owner, an extensive testing effort was executed at Clayco/Concrete Strategies’ test yard in St. Louis, MO, USA. Three full-height tilt-up panels with varying levels of carbon reduction were cast and erected. 

As a result of the testing program, the project’s foundation was constructed using a concrete mixture with a global warming potential (GWP) of 103 kgCO2e/yd3, an impressive 60% below the NRMCA V3 2020 Great Lakes Midwest Regional benchmark. Additional mixtures used on site incorporated ASTM C1157/C1157M compliant cements with slag cement contents ranging from 10 to 40% by mass.

Application Type

Application Type	Shallow foundations
% Slag Cement Replacement	70%+
% Portland Cement
% Portland Limestone Cement	15% +/-
% Other SCM (if applicable)	15% +/-
Aggregate
Water/cement ratio	0.40 +/- 0.05
7-day strengths
28-day strengths	4,500 psi