Analysis of football field artificial turf specifications
Artificial Turf Soccer Field System Classification
Non-Damping System: Primarily uses silica sand and rubber granules as infill, commonly found in school and community fields.
Damping Pad System: Lays an elastic pad layer under the turf for better shock absorption; widely used by professional clubs and government standard projects.
Environmentally Friendly System: Made with recyclable turf fibers and environmentally friendly materials, aligning with international green development trends, and highly favored by soccer turf customers.
The Layered Structure of a Soccer Field Turf
The construction of a standard artificial turf soccer field typically includes the following structural layers, each directly affecting the field's performance, lifespan, and long-term maintenance costs:
1. Soccer Turf Surface Layer
Grass fiber height: 50 mm – 60 mm
Fiber shape: U-shaped, S-shaped, W-shaped, flat fibers, etc.
Impact: Determines the ball's rolling speed, field friction, and the feel underfoot for athletes; a core factor in selecting high-quality artificial turf specifically for soccer.
2. Infill Layer System
Quartz sand: Maintains the upright position of the grass fibers, improving field stability.
Rubber granules: Provide cushioning and shock absorption, reducing sports injuries.
Importance: Plays a decisive role in the safety and comfort of the artificial turf for soccer fields.
3. Shock Absorbing Pad
Provides professional-grade resilience and protection, widely used in FIFA Quality Pro certified fields.
4. Base Layer
Structure: Crushed stone layer, stabilization layer, or concrete layer
Function: Ensures proper drainage and surface smoothness of the field.
5. Subbase:
As the load-bearing foundation of the entire system, improper compaction may lead to site settlement and increase the overall cost of the artificial turf football field.
Matching the best grass plan for different venues
In the construction of modern football fields, artificial turf has become the mainstream choice. It not only greatly reduces maintenance costs, but also provides players with a stable and safe sports environment. According to the scale and use requirements of the football field, the specifications and configurations of artificial turf are also different. The following is a detailed introduction:
Small football field (five-a-side) lawn: non-filling lawn
Scope of application: non-professional small venues such as five-a-side venues, community stadiums, school playgrounds, etc.
Lawn structure and specifications:
Grass height: 30-40mm
Grass fiber combination: straight grass + curved grass mixture
Lawn density: high-density structure
Auxiliary materials: no need to fill quartz sand and rubber particles
Main advantages:
Easy construction: no complicated filling process is required, and it can be laid quickly.
Cost saving: save the cost of filling materials and part of the construction cost.
Strong applicability: suitable for use scenarios such as children, amateurs and community activities.
Professional football field turf: standard monofilament turf
Scope of application: 11-a-side standard football field, professional training base, high-level competitive field, etc.
Turf structure and specifications:
Grass height: 50mm (±2mm)
Turf density: about 10500 clusters/㎡
Auxiliary filling:
Quartz sand: thickness of about 4.5cm
Rubber particles: mixed filling, so that the grass tip is exposed about 0.5cm
Main advantages:
High simulation: visual and tactile closer to natural turf.
Superior performance: has excellent elasticity and cushioning effect, protecting athletes' knees and ankles.
Suitable for professional events: meets international certification venue standards and is suitable for high-intensity competitions.
Key points of football field infrastructure construction
No matter which type of turf is used, the quality of foundation construction directly determines the service life and performance of the field.
Flatness and drainage system
Foundation type: cement concrete or asphalt foundation can be selected.
Leveling error control: the error within 3 meters should be less than 5mm.
Drainage slope: The site needs to have a slope of 3-5% to ensure rapid drainage and prevent water accumulation.
Waterproof and antifreeze treatment (suitable for cold areas)
Geotextile: As a base buffer layer to absorb small ground displacements.
Drainage ditch protection: Waterproof treatment to extend the service life of the drainage system.
Foundation maintenance period
Recommended maintenance period: After the foundation construction is completed, maintenance is required for 30 days to ensure structural stability and paving quality.
Comprehensive advantages of artificial turf
Performance Stability
Stable field performance is a fundamental requirement for professional football matches. Even minor variations in field conditions can affect player technique and even match results. The standardized production process and design of artificial turf perfectly overcome the inherent limitations of natural grass, ensuring consistent field performance.
Natural grass is highly susceptible to weather conditions, while high-quality artificial turf utilizes a permeable underlayment design, allowing rainwater to quickly infiltrate and drain, maintaining stable performance in any climate and adapting to various competitions year-round. It is particularly suitable for professional stadiums in Northern Europe, ensuring continuous match coverage.
Furthermore, the high-density nature of professional matches demands high wear resistance from the field. Natural grass is prone to bald patches and exposed soil after frequent use, while artificial turf's fibers have strong wear resistance, withstanding high-intensity use and requiring no rest even with consecutive matches, perfectly matching the match and training rhythms of professional clubs.
Cost and Maintenance
While the initial investment for artificial turf is indeed higher than that for natural turf, the long-term maintenance costs differ significantly. Natural turf requires annual maintenance including irrigation and fertilization, while artificial turf only needs basic cleaning and maintenance. Comparatively, the cost is far lower than that of natural turf, and a dedicated turf maintenance team is not required.
In terms of lifespan, high-quality artificial turf can last 8-15 years, requiring only minor replacement of the infill material; natural turf, on the other hand, requires extensive renovation every 3-5 years, resulting in a cumulative investment far exceeding that of artificial turf.
Environmental Protection and Sustainability
Artificial turf requires no irrigation, which is both an environmental contribution and a cost saving for professional sports fields in water-scarce areas.
Regarding resource recycling, artificial turf materials are recyclable – grass fibers can be shredded and made into plastic products, and the elastic underlayment can be recycled into rubber granules, achieving closed-loop resource utilization.
Furthermore, the fertilizers and pesticides used in the maintenance of natural turf can flow into the soil and groundwater with rainwater, causing pollution; while artificial turf requires no chemical agents throughout its lifecycle, and its carbon footprint is only one-third that of natural turf.
Multifunctional application
In addition to football fields, artificial turf is also widely used in tennis, golf, hockey, multi-purpose sports fields and other projects.
Summary
Choosing the right artificial turf specifications not only affects the use effect of the football field, but also affects the subsequent maintenance efficiency and cost control. Small venues are recommended to use non-filled turf, focusing on convenience and cost-effectiveness; while standard professional stadiums should use monofilament filled turf to obtain the best competitive performance. Through scientific and reasonable infrastructure construction and turf selection, an ideal football field with high standards, low maintenance and long-term durability can be created.
