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| Publication Type:
| Proceedings |
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| Material Type: | Chapter |
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| Author(s): | Beard, James B |
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| Monographic Corporate Author(s): | The Committee of International Symposium on Soccer Field |
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| Author Affiliation: | President and Chief Scientist, International Sports Turf Institute, College Station, Texas, USA and Professor Emeritus, Turfgrass Science, Texas A&M University |
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| Title: | A new technology for sports field construction with the randomly oriented, interlocking mesh elements system and its actual use case history |
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| Meeting Info.: | Tokyo, Japan: October 27-28, 1994 |
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| Monographic Source: | Proceedings of International Symposium on Soccer Field, 1994, p. 61-80, 139-159. |
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| Publishing Information: | Tokyo, Japan: The Committee of International Symposium on Soccer Field and Soft Science, Inc. |
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| # of Pages: | 41 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Ball rebound resilience; Compaction; Surfaces; Wear; Tests; Sports turf; Case studies; Root zone stabilization; Sand; Mesh element matrices
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| Abstract/Contents: | "The ever increasing intensity of traffic on sports fields, race tracks, and during the past three decades necessitated the development and use of high-sand root zones, such as the Texas-USGA Method. This development minimized serious soil compaction problems and provided a higher quality turfed playing surface. The objectives of these investigations were to assess the use of randomly oriented, interlocking mesh elements for the stabilization of root zones, while at the same time retaining or enhancing a favorable environment for turfgrass root growth. The mesh elements consist of discrete 50 by 100 mm rectangular units, with open ribs extending from the perimeter and a square aperture between the mesh element ribs of 10 by 10 mm. The open ribs extending from the perimeter facilitate an interlocking structure that provides a unique three-dimensional matrix of a relatively fixed, but microflexible, nature. Eight key studies have been conducted since 1985 at College Station, Texas, including five long-term field investigations each of 4+ years duration. The findings revealed three major beneficial dimensions attributed to the use of a randomly oriented, mesh element matrix. The first dimension was root zone-turf stabilization including (a) enhanced soil stabilization especially in sandy soils and on steep slopes, (b) improved load-bearing capacity, (c) better resistance to surface rutting and deformation, (d) reduced divot size, and (e) enhanced divot opening turf recovery. Secondly, in terms of playing surface quality for sport and recreational activities, the research results showed (a) an improved uniformity of ball bounce, (b) less surface hardness for better participant safety, and (c) a sustained level of acceptable turf quality for a greater number of competitions. Finally, an enhanced turfgrass root zone environment was revealed encompassing improvements in the (a) water infiltration rate, (b) soil water percolation rate, (c) soil moisture retention, and (d) overall turfgrass health and rooting. There also was less compaction and a reduced potential for black layer problems, especially on relatively fine textured sandy root zones. Thus, the randomly oriented, interlocking mesh element matrix offers a diverse array of root zone and turfgrass performance or health benefits with good potential for use on turfed sports fields, race courses, golf courses, animal competition/show grounds, path and road ways, load-bearing areas, and steep sloped banks that are subjected to intense usage. Extensive research has shown the mesh element system to be effective on high-sand, clay loam, and silty clay root zones. Full scale installations at the very intensively used Melbourne Cricket Ground and at the Paramatta Stadium in Australia have proven very successful, including increased number of events with less turf loss than in the past." |
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| Language: | English
Japanese |
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| References: | 0 |
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| See Also: | For more information about the book this record is from, or to see other records from this work: R=269243 |
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| Note: | Pictures, b/w
Tables
Graphs |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Beard, J. B. The Committee of International Symposium on Soccer Field. 1994. A new technology for sports field construction with the randomly oriented, interlocking mesh elements system and its actual use case history. In Proceedings of International Symposium on Soccer Field. Tokyo, Japan: The Committee of International Symposium on Soccer Field and Soft Science, Inc. |
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