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A hybrid system, being installed at


Mbombela Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup


A Fibre elastic system was


used in the pitch installation at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin


HYBRID SYSTEMS Hybrid systems involve the injection of fibres into the surface, which stay approximately 20mm proud of the soil surface. The fibre is generally installed to a depth of 120-150mm below the surface. These systems can be installed into


existing pitches and involve specialist mobile stitching equipment. The surface needs to be stable to facilitate movement of this equipment. Recent changes to the specification recommended for sand selection and maintenance techniques have meant improvement in the perfor- mance of these systems. From practical experience, the strength


and stability provided at the surface with the hybrid reinforcement outweighs that of the other categories. It allows events to be staged successfully on young grass, – some at just four weeks old in situations where grass growth rates are high.


Pros • Increases usage levels and stability • Protects grass cover with some protec- tion of the growing point of the plant • Successful installation is not weather dependent • High increase in traction at surface • May allow very young grass pitches to be played on • Can be installed into existing pitches


Gravel raft profile with slit drains and fibresand


• Provides a partially green surface when grass cover is lost • Very high surface stability provided; allows surface to be used with no grass cover in some cases


Cons • Higher maintenance than a non- rein- forced pitch • Large equipment importation needed for installation • Intensive renovations needed annually – particularly to control the build-up of organic matter • Difficulty experienced in returfing


FILLED CARPET SYSTEMS Filled carpet systems involve the con- ventional construction of a suspended water table pitch and the installation of a synthetic turf carpet or punched membrane as a surface layer. Yarn is then stitched to this material and the carpet is filled with selected materials, which can include cork, peat, sand, soil or a rubber mixture. The natural grass is grown in this filled layer and, in some cases, the carpet backing is designed to break down over time, leaving just the grass fibre in place. The finished surface is a mixture of syn-


thetic grass fibres and natural grass, with the fibres providing apparent surface stability and wear improvements. These types of systems can only be installed in new pitch constructions and cannot be installed into existing grass pitches without considerable work.


Issue 2 2011 © cybertrek 2011


Pros • Fast to install • International exportation of the prod- uct and installation is simple; carpet exportation rather than equipment • Increases usage levels and stability • Provides a partially green surface when grass cover is lost


Cons • Higher maintenance than a non- reinforced pitch • Backing degeneration technology still being developed; some practical problems have been noted with this in the past • High weather dependence on installa- tion technique to achieve good levels • Cannot be re-turfed • Specialist installation required and annual renovation needed • Cannot be installed after the grass is growing • Can pose restrictions to maintenance procedures


CONCLUSION The addition of a reinforced natural turf pitch to a facility will, in many circumstances, improve the playability and increase the pitch’s usage levels. However, the decision to install a pitch reinforcement and choose the right type of reinforcement for your needs should be based on professional expert advice in conjunction with the information provided in this article. ●


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