Third-generation artificial-turf pitches are often criticized because of their high abrasiveness when athletes fall on the surface,the high temperatures recorded in summer periods,and their unpleasant rubber odour.On the other hand,natural-turf pitches are not able to withstand the high play volumes currently associated with modern high-profile and community sport spitches.Hybrid systems with a varying presence of artificial fibres and rein-forcements have long been tested and installed,without providing a definitive answer to the above-mentioned problems of natural turf.The aim of this study was to evaluate the playing characteristics and the wear resistance of a newly patented hybrid natural-artificial sports pitch construction system after rugby and foot-ball play for 2 months and 5 months.This hybrid system consists of a modified third-generation artificial grass with organic infill,on which natural grass was allowed to grow.A 11300m2experimental pitch was constructed in Pisa(Italy)in the summer of 2007 and tested during 2007-2008 following football and rugby union play for an average of 8-9h/week.The hybrid pitch showed a total absence of rubber odour,summer temperatures similar to those of natural-turf pitches,wear resistance superior to that of natural-turfpitches,abrasiveness similar to that of natural-turf pitches,and good infill particle size stability.Most playing-quality parameters fell within both the Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA)Recom-mended2-Star Standard requirements for artificial turf and generally accepted playing-quality parameters for natural turf.Since then more pitches as described herein have been constructed and witnessed international match play,while FIFA has classified the system as a reinforced natural-grass pitch.
An Innovative Hybrid Natural-Artificial Sports Pitch Construction System
VOLTERRANI, MARCO;MAGNI, SIMONE;
2011-01-01
Abstract
Third-generation artificial-turf pitches are often criticized because of their high abrasiveness when athletes fall on the surface,the high temperatures recorded in summer periods,and their unpleasant rubber odour.On the other hand,natural-turf pitches are not able to withstand the high play volumes currently associated with modern high-profile and community sport spitches.Hybrid systems with a varying presence of artificial fibres and rein-forcements have long been tested and installed,without providing a definitive answer to the above-mentioned problems of natural turf.The aim of this study was to evaluate the playing characteristics and the wear resistance of a newly patented hybrid natural-artificial sports pitch construction system after rugby and foot-ball play for 2 months and 5 months.This hybrid system consists of a modified third-generation artificial grass with organic infill,on which natural grass was allowed to grow.A 11300m2experimental pitch was constructed in Pisa(Italy)in the summer of 2007 and tested during 2007-2008 following football and rugby union play for an average of 8-9h/week.The hybrid pitch showed a total absence of rubber odour,summer temperatures similar to those of natural-turf pitches,wear resistance superior to that of natural-turfpitches,abrasiveness similar to that of natural-turf pitches,and good infill particle size stability.Most playing-quality parameters fell within both the Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA)Recom-mended2-Star Standard requirements for artificial turf and generally accepted playing-quality parameters for natural turf.Since then more pitches as described herein have been constructed and witnessed international match play,while FIFA has classified the system as a reinforced natural-grass pitch.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
