Toward Rational Design of Void Forms for Expansive Texas Clay Soils: Why do you Still Specify and use Non-Engineered Void Forms for Texas Data Centers?

Engineers have not established a rational design method for void forms, while each manufacturer has developed its own void form products based solely on its proprietary empirical approach. However, none of those empirical approaches have ever been verified with systematic testing or comprehensive analysis by a third party. Simply put, all void form products currently on the market are non-engineered. Consequently, the degradation of void forms due to moisture and humidity has proven unpredictable and unacceptable.

Recently, the State of Texas has been experiencing an unprecedented statewide data center boom, with hundreds of projects in development. In this enviable situation, a compelling question arises: Why do we still use non-engineered void form products for the millions and millions of square feet of Texas data center floors, as well as traditional warehouse and manufacturing floors?

In response to this compelling question, the author has sought a rational design approach based on quantifiable structural degradation of void forms, which will enable engineers to select and specify engineered void form products and manufacturers to develop and market new engineered products.

This presentation critically reviews the current state of practice in the design and application of void forms, and proposes a rational design approach, the “Three-Enough-Design Procedure,” in which the Enough Strength, Enough Stiffness, and Enough Degradation of void forms are ensured with Structural Degradation Curves.