As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize industries, the infrastructure supporting it must evolve too. The electricity demand from AI data centers makes up 24% of the entire server electricity demand. As such, the seismic bracing design needs for data centers for AI vary somewhat from traditional data centers, as they are more complicated, there are more of them, and such projects are typically fast-tracked. 

In this blog, we will discuss the difference between seismic bracing design for traditional data centers and data centers for AI, with emphasis on AI data center needs.

The Difference Between Traditional Data Centers And Data Centers For AI

In practice, an AI data center isn’t fundamentally different from traditional data centers. However, they must be able to support AI workloads. 

AI models process massive datasets and complex calculations. While standard servers primarily use Central Processing Units (CPUs), AI relies on specialized hardware, like Graphic Processing Units (GPUs). This hardware generates more heat and consumes more energy than traditional services, and also places greater demands on data exchange between systems. 

Traditional data centers are built more like server warehouses while data centers for AI are tailored to the unique demands of artificial intelligence, with ultra-high-density computing, low-latency networking, and mission-critical uptime. Data centers for AI maximize output per square foot, achieving higher performance density than traditional data centers. 

Both traditional data centers and data centers for AI consume significant power, but AI data centers utilize more of it. As such, the primary difference between seismic bracing design for traditional data centers and data centers for AI is that for the AI data centers, the bracing needs are more complicated with more of them. 

Additionally, AI data centers tend to be fast-tracked projects.

The Importance Of Seismic Bracing For Data Centers

Data centers in general must be continuously operational during and after natural hazards. Seismic bracing design safeguards security and operations to better enable service reliability even in a seismic event. Most damage from earthquakes comes not from the ground-shaking itself, but from the damage wrought by unrestrained non-structural systems, such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as computer systems.

With appropriate seismic bracing, systems and equipment are secured, safeguarding them against extensive damage, which enables systems to remain operational, downtime to be decreased, and a more straightforward restoration of services after a disaster. 

About Seismic Bracing Designs For AI Data Centers

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the digital economy, AI data centers are engineered from the ground up with intelligent systems to optimize energy distribution and computing loads. AI workloads consume more power per rack than traditional IT environments. Smart energy management systems allocate resources to prevent overloads. 

AI data centers’ high-density, higher-powered equipment and more intense cooling demands necessitate more complex seismic bracing designs. These designs require greater emphasis on managing these specific loads and integrating with the unique electrical and mechanical systems associated with AI workloads.

The power demands for AI data centers are much more than a typical data center. They necessitate much more electrical systems, suspended systems, and other such systems that require seismic bracing design. The density and quality of these projects is more intense in regards to seismic bracing design for other facilities and structures in general. AI systems are often designed to a higher standard of 1.5, defined in building code as essential facilities.

Seismic bracing design compared to traditional data centers is denser, more complicated, and with more communication required. There are tremendous amounts of power for computers, cooling systems, and everything for AI. This complicates seismic bracing design, equipment anchorage design, and beyond. 

Expert Seismic Bracing Design Services In The United States

VIE’s extensive experience designing seismic bracing for data centers and AI data centers enable our engineers to provide clients with top-tier service. VIE can provide certified engineering drawings and calculations in all Western and Midwestern states with seismic design criteria. Our engineers work with building structure design teams for data centers in order to coordinate seismic design measures that conform to project-specific specifications and requirements.

VIE is very responsive to owner requests and regularly provides on-site reviews to determine specific custom designs that are necessary to meet specific loads and energy specifications, like seismic, wind, and more.

Contact us today to learn more about our seismic bracing design services, our experience designing seismic bracing for traditional data centers and data centers for AI alike, or other structural engineering needs you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Since the federal government has recently placed all seismic retrofit grants on hold, many public entities are wondering how to proceed in funding their seismic retrofit projects. VIE can assist an organization to fund seismic retrofit projects, as we have for many organizations that have pursued seismic retrofit projects independent of FEMA for decades.

The Shift In Funding Responsibilities

Previously, FEMA, short for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been responsible for providing aid and money to areas affected by natural disasters. Recently, the federal government shifted this burden to states, cities, and individuals, stating that preparedness is most efficiently owned and managed at state, local, and individual levels.

Thus, while FEMA grants may be on hold, other funding options for seismic retrofits are available.

The Importance Of Seismic Retrofitting

With these recent changes, entities may wonder if seismic retrofitting should still be pursued. The answer is yes. 

Seismic retrofitting is a critical investment to safeguard employees, protect property, and comply with local regulations. The cost of seismic retrofitting is a fraction of potential earthquake damage costs. The MultiHazard Mitigation Council estimated that buildings above 2015 IBC requirements could result in a national average BCR of 4, meaning that for every $1 spent on seismic retrofitting, $4 can be saved in future earthquake damage costs. 

As such, seismic retrofitting is a smart investment to improve life-safety and protect businesses from the financial impact of earthquakes. 

Funding Options For Seismic Retrofits

While FEMA grants have been a prominent source of funding for seismic retrofits, there are still multiple options available for funding for seismic retrofits now that FEMA grants are on hold. Such funding includes: bonds, capital improvement plans, grants from non-public organizations, state or municipality funding, and more.

Bonds

Public entities often issue bonds annually. Seismic retrofitting projects can be included in these bond issuances, allowing for the funding of retrofits. Such approaches can result in an increase in a favorability rating from bonds, which can lead to better borrowing conditions. 

VIE can assist public entities in preparing and presenting seismic retrofit projects in the approach being used to public meetings, ensuring community buy-in and obtaining public approval for the projects.

Capital Improvements

Most seismic retrofits qualify as capital improvements, if seismic retrofitting is bundled with other capital improvement projects, the costs of retrofitting can be significantly reduced, making it easier to include in long-term capital plans. 

VIE can assist in integrating seismic retrofitting into broader capital improvement plans, ensuring that these projects are accounted for effectively. Many times older facilities that may have seismic safety issues may also have other issues related to outdated interior layouts, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that are nearing the end of their useful lives. By including these other upgrades with seismic retrofitting, the useful lives of these facilities may be substantially extended. 

This avoids the considerable expense of constructing new facilities in cases where facility retrofit is a more economical alternative. 

Grants From Non-Public Organizations

There are funding opportunities from private and non-public entities, such as charitable foundations, particularly for specific projects such as hospital retrofits or other essential infrastructure. 

VIE can assist public and private entities in navigating the process of applying for grants from non-public sources, which could be viable alternatives to FEMA funding. . 

State Or Municipality-Specific Funding

Many states or municipalities offer specific funding for disaster prevention, such as seismic retrofitting projects in earthquake-prone areas. VIE has extensive experience working with local legislature bodies to obtain state or municipality specific funding.

Value Engineering

VIE can utilize expertise gained from more than 40 years of experience in performing many different aspects of seismic retrofit projects to help identify the most economical method to achieve seismic safety objectives. Many different approaches are available to achieve more resilient structural systems, VIE can help optimize projects to achieve greater cost-benefit solutions. 

VIE Can Assist In Obtaining Funding For Seismic Retrofits

As one can see, just because FEMA is on hold for the moment doesn’t mean an entity cannot obtain funding for seismic retrofits. These options provide a range of alternatives for funding these projects and enhancing the safety and resiliency of infrastructure in earthquake-prone areas.

VIE would welcome the opportunity to meet with your organization to discuss your projects and options to fund retrofits that may be needed. If you are trying to obtain funding for seismic retrofits now that FEMA grants are currently on hold, contact us today to learn more about potential funding opportunities available to you.