EP #138: Is Low Rho Concrete the Hidden Key to Cooler, More Efficient Data Centers?

What if your concrete mix could cut a data center’s power bill by 15%? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett talks with Frank Stankunas Sr., Frank Stankunas Jr., and James Cordeiro from Silverback Concrete about a concept most engineers haven’t thought about—thermal resistivity in concrete. They explain how low rho concrete helps data centers shed heat faster, take pressure off the grid, and extend the life of buried electrical infrastructure. You’ll hear how they’re testing mixes that hit rho values in the 20s, why quality control is everything, and why engineers need to stop “copying and pasting” specs from old jobs. By the end, you’ll see why thermal resistivity may be the next big efficiency play in the world’s fastest-growing utility - data. What You’ll Learn • What thermal resistivity (rho) actually measures in concrete. • How low rho concrete reduces power bills and protects the grid. • Why inconsistent mixes can cause “thermal runaway” in cables. • How soil type and aggregate selection affect heat dissipation. • What testing and verification look like for low rho concrete. • Why some engineers are still unaware of rho’s importance. • How Silverback’s “Game Changer” mix is redefining performance. • What collaboration between engineers and contractors could unlock next. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Thermal Resistivity in Concrete 01:48 – Understanding Thermal Resistivity and Its Importance 05:21 – Comparing Standard Concrete Mixes to Low Rho Concrete 09:08 – Testing and Verifying Thermal Resistivity 12:37 – Quality Control and Consistency in Concrete Mixes 16:22 – The Role of Engineers in Specifying Rho Values 20:05 – Innovative Approaches to Reducing Heat in Data Centers 23:37 – Conclusion and Future Directions for Concrete Technology Guest Info Frank Stankunas Sr. – President, Silverback Concrete [email protected]  Frank Stankunas Jr. – Vice President, Silverback Concrete [email protected]  James Cordeiro – Director of Strategic Development, Silverback Concrete [email protected] https://www.silverbackconcrete.co Concrete Logic Academy Earn your PDHs the logical way. Explore practical courses made for contractors, engineers, and producers. Free trial: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com Support the Podcast Support the show and be listed as a Producer for life on the episode page: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support KUIU Affiliate Link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu Media & Sponsorship Inquiries: [email protected] Podcast Partners Intelligent Concrete At Intelligent Concrete, we combine lab precision with field expertise to help you understand what your concrete is telling you. Our services include mix troubleshooting, forensic and petrographic testing, performance-based specification and admixture development, and training for engineers, contractors, and producers. Whether you’re chasing consistency, durability, or answers after a failure, Intelligent Concrete delivers the data and insight to solve problems and improve performance. Learn more: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/intelligent-concrete Credits Produced by Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by Mike Dunton — https://www.mdunton.com Connectivity Host: Seth Tandett Concrete Visionary | Business Development at Baker Construction | Host of the #1 Concrete Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com If you learned something new, share this episode with your team and help more engineers and builders think logically about concrete.  Until next time, let’s keep it concrete!