The design-build team of DPR Construction and PageSoutherlandPage/Sunland Group completed a new $32 million, state-of-the-art data center for The University of Texas (UT) at Austin this July. Representing DPR’s first major project on this UT campus, the data center epitomizes what a knowledgeable, collaborative, forward-thinking and solution-driven project team can achieve on highly demanding and technically complex jobs.

While building a new, ground-up facility would have been challenging enough, this project involved the added complexity that comes with converting an existing building into a data center. The project necessitated a complete removal and replacement of the building envelope and systems to ensure the security and integrity of the data center function.

PLANNING FOR THE UNEXPECTED

The design-build team faced several major challenges throughout the course of the project, including project staffing changes after construction had begun and the departure of the consultant who had designed the critical white space for the data center project, a portion of work that DPR subsequently took on.

“That was a huge challenge to overcome, but we were able to mitigate that risk and continue on with a successful project,” said DPR Project Manager Jason Choyce.

In the design and construction of the white space, the team confronted the issue of working around a ceiling height that was five feet lower than that of a typical data center. To ensure there was enough clearance for the overhead cabling, the cable tray support system was modeled in Autodesk® Revit® with as little as a half an inch of clearance. Without the extensive modeling of all of the systems prior to construction, this small-space planning would have been done in the field at a greater cost to the university.

Further complications arose when the team discovered the roof had insufficient load capacity to support the overhead cable trays. By installing stanchions at the base of the server cabinets, the team was able to support the overhead bracing support system from the raised-access flooring below. Because this meant each cabinet needed a specific loading capacity, DPR worked closely with the server cabinet manufacturer to ensure the cabinets met the specifications.

Yet another key challenge occurred when a major subcontractor encountered unforeseen problems during construction with just 70 percent of its work complete. DPR stepped in to self-perform the balance of the earthwork—without impacting the schedule or budget.

SMART STRATEGIES FOR SAVINGS

While not an owner requirement, DPR chose to implement building information modeling (BIM) on this project because of its significant potential to save time and money. And it paid dividends. Among a number of BIM accomplishments was the detection of a white space design issue relating to a code-required clearance needed for the computer room air handler (CRAH) units. As originally designed, the placement of the CRAH units would have caused an entire row of server racks to impede on their electrical clearances. Had the issue not been identified and corrected in the electronic model, a reduction in server capacity or complete redesign of the server rack layout would have been required. By detecting and correcting the issue in the model prior to field installation, the team was able to make the fix that Choyce estimates could have cost upwards of $100,000 in rework had it already been installed.

A life cycle cost analysis of the facility also helped the project achieve long-term cost savings. In lieu of split DX units that had been planned, the team demonstrated that using water-cooled chillers and a cooling tower would save around $16 million in energy and maintenance costs over a 15-year period despite their higher upfront cost.

A BLUEPRINT FOR COLLABORATION

The team’s consistently proactive, solution-oriented approach ultimately drove the project’s success. The project also served as a beta test for the university’s Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) process, a formal plan for bringing together all stakeholders early on to identify goals and building requirements and ensure a collaborative approach. Following its successful implementation on this project, the OPR process is now a standard requirement for future University of Texas System jobs.

“This was one of the most demanding projects we have worked on,” said PageSoutherlandPage’s Vice President and Director of Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineering Andy Baxter in a letter at project completion. “The design team, contractor, project manager and customer—we all worked diligently together to execute this project. The project contained a demanding schedule and budget, with notable challenges—but was completed successfully.”

University of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin, the largest institution of the University of Texas System, is a major research university home to more than 50,000 students, 2,900 faculty and 21,000 staff members. Founded in 1881, the university aims to transform lives for the benefit of society through the core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Contractor agility and depth of services allowed DPR to self perform nearly one third of the sitework when the situation called for it—without budget or schedule impacts
• Contractor agility and depth of services allowed DPR to self perform nearly one third of the sitework when the situation called for it—without budget or schedule impacts
• Adoption of BIM gave team foresight to mitigate clashes and design issues ahead of fieldwork—saving time and money