Modular Stabilizing Layer for Artificial Turf Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial playing field installations are costly and inaccessible to underserved communities due to the need for expensive transportation of materials and the risk of undersurface erosion from heavy rains, which complicates the creation of a stable and drainage-effective base.
Innovation Solution
A modular structure comprising a stabilizing layer with compartments for granular infill, a separation layer to prevent water penetration, and a water distributing layer, allowing for the use of locally available materials and easy installation, with the option of a non-infill artificial turf layer for reduced maintenance and transport efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If imported materials are used to prepare the base, then stability and drainage are guaranteed, but transportation cost increases and installation becomes inaccessible to underserved communities
Solution Approach 1:
The base preparation system is segmented into a modular stabilising layer with compartments that can be independently manufactured and transported. Each compartment contains granular infill material, allowing the base structure to be assembled from discrete, transportable units rather than requiring bulk material transportation to the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilising layer combines a textile material matrix with granular infill material to create a composite structure. This composite provides both the structural stability needed for the base and the drainage properties of granular material, while the entire assembly can be manufactured and transported as integrated modules.
2Ease of manufacture
If a firm undersurface is used for artificial grass installation, then initial installation is simplified, but water damage causes erosion and hollows during heavy rains
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilising layer is designed with porous characteristics that allow water to pass through while retaining the granular infill material. The textile matrix provides structural integrity to prevent erosion, while the porous structure enables drainage, eliminating the harmful effects of water accumulation and erosion during heavy rains.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base structure have different properties: the stabilising layer provides structural stability and erosion resistance, while the granular infill within compartments provides drainage capability. This local differentiation of material properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve ease of installation and resistance to water erosion.
3Reliability
If compartments are formed in the stabilising layer, then granular infill is retained and stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilising layer is segmented into compartments by folding the textile material and connecting at the folds. This segmentation creates discrete retention spaces for granular infill while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as a single integrated component rather than assembling multiple separate parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular structure for installing an artificial playing field comprising: a stabilising layer forming a plurality of compartments for receiving a granular infill; a separation layer for location over the stabilising layer to retain the infill; a water distributing layer; and an artificial turf layer. The claimed construction allows a stable base layer to be formed using virtually any locally available granular material such as earth, gravel, lava, rock and the like. The compartments ensure that the granular material is held in place and cannot be displaced due to loading or washed away due to rain or flooding.