GreenCE, Inc. 2010 AIRFIELD SYSTEMS Michael Bean 405.359.3775 or 405.361.2887 michaelb@airfieldsystems.com Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz online at greence.com to receive credit
GreenCE, Inc. 2010 SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN MODERN SPORTS FIELD CONSTRUCTION Course Number: GAF33A Course Credit: I AIA HSW/SD CE Hour 1 GBCI CE Hour for LEED Professionals Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz online at greence.com to receive credit
AN AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (AIA) CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM Approved Promotional Statement: GreenCE, Inc. is a registered provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. Credit earned upon completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion are available for all course participants upon completion of the course conclusion quiz with +80%. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA or GreenCE, Inc. of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AN AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (AIA) CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM Course Format: This is a structured, web-based course with a final exam. Course Credit: 1 AIA Health Safety & Welfare (HSW), Sustainable Design (SD) CE Hour Completion Certificate: A copy is sent to you by email or you can print one upon successful completion of a course. If you have any difficulties printing or receiving by email please send requests to certificate@greence.com Design professionals, please remember to print or save your certificate of completion after successfully completing a course conclusion quiz. Email confirmations will be sent to the email address you have provided in your GreenCE.com account. Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz online at greence.com to receive credit
GreenCE, Inc. USGBC CE COURSE Synthetic Drainage For Sustainable Design in Modern Sports Field Construction GBCI Course ID: 90004833 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES By completing this course, the design professional will be able to: Describe the 3 distinct methods of sports field drainage. Explain the design and manufacturing of an injected molded, freedraining geocell for sustainable site design. Identify the components of a synthetic drainage system in both natural and artificial turf applications. Explain the importance of the 3 year Texas A&M Research Project in partnership with the USGA. Describe how synthetic drainage design is applied to both natural and artificial turf applications. List the sustainable attributes of synthetic drainage. List case studies of successful synthetic drainage installations.
THE 3 MOST COMMON DRAINAGE METHODS IN SPORTS FIELD DESIGN
3 MOST COMMON DRAINAGE The 3 most common drainage methods in sports field design include surface drainage, gravel profile and synthetic drainage configurations. METHODS
SURFACE DRAINAGE The simplest method of drainage is surface drainage. Utilizing this method, the field is graded to provide for positive surface runoff, draining water across the surface of the field.
SURFACE DRAINAGE Surface Drainage Disadvantages: Lack of subsurface drainage may result in standing water and field saturation. Space must be allotted outside the playing areas for catch basins, taking up valuable land resources. Turf health may be compromised. Due to saturation, player safety concerns may be raised. Canceled practices and games due to field saturation. Lost revenues due to game cancellations.
GRAVEL DRAINAGE Subsurface gravel drainage is better than surface drainage due to the transfer of water directly through the surface rather than across it. Gravel drainage requires precision grading of the field cavity with an approximate 1.5 slope from the center of the field to the perimeter. The cavity is then trenched in a herringbone pattern to accommodate French drain piping. Next, the entire field is then covered with 4"- 6" of precision graded, washed gravel. Another layer of smaller gravel is then installed and again precision graded. In artificial turf applications the turf is installed directly on top of the smaller gravel. In natural grass applications an eleven inch sand root-zone mix is installed on top of the smaller gravel and then precision graded.
GRAVEL DRAINAGE DISADVANTAGES Gravel drainage beds can settle and shift over time resulting in an uneven playing surface. Rain-outs may occur and grow progressively worse due to inefficient gravel drainage blankets. Installing a gravel drainage blanket requires site destructive heavy equipment, takes several weeks to complete, and an average project may require 80-100 gravel truck trips to and from the site. Gravel typically requires more excavation and haul off, meaning more time, cost, and site disturbance.
GRAVEL DRAINAGE DISADVANTAGES Gravel drainage is not continuous below the playing surface due to the herringbone french drain pattern. Often over time gravel blankets become clogged, damaging the field and requiring costly replacement. When clogged, infill migration on synthetic turf is a constant problem. Once clogged, a gravel drainage system is no more efficient than surface drainage. There can be regional challenges for availability of certain types of specified stone aggregate. This can make the specified aggregate cost prohibitive or unattainable. When substitute aggregates are used, clogging often occurs.
SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE SOLUTION Synthetic drainage provides advantages over a gravel system. Synthetic Turf Applications: Geocells exhibit shock pad characteristics and help maintain a constant GMAX across the entire field. Dramatically increases drainage. Installation time measured in days instead of weeks. Longer drainage system life - field can be replaced without replacing the drainage system. Storm water can be harvested for landscaping. Helps qualify for green building credits. Sustainable design with a smaller carbon and development footprint.
SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE SOLUTION Additionally, synthetic drainage offers advantages for Natural Grass Applications: Best growth and drainage system for sand based profile applications. 100% vertical drainage under the entire field surface. Minimizing water related injuries. Reduced site disturbance. 100% recycled drainage geocell. A better perched water table. Up to 4 more days more plant-available water than a traditional gravel profile. Field maintenance crews report significant irrigation savings and reduced maintenance.
GEOCELL MANUFACTURING
TYPICAL CHEMICAL COMPOSITION The resin used for the injected molded, free-draining geocell, offers an advantage over many other products. This is due to it s superiority with regards to pliability, distortion tolerances and internal stress strength. This resin blend also allows the geocell to perform well in extreme temperature shifts. There is no need to wait for temperatures to rise above 32 F before installation. The primary chemical characteristics of a free-draining geocell include: 100% Recycled Post Industrial Resin (PIR) Co-Polymer Metallocene (Impact Modifier) 3 percent Carbon Black with (UV) Stabilizer
POST INDUSTRIAL RESIN Co-polymer polypropylene composed of 100% recycled post industrial resin (PIR) is utilized rather than virgin material in effort to reduce total project carbon impact. PIR is used rather than post consumer resin (PCR) insuring a consistent material, balancing product performance with manufacturing responsibility.
METALLOCENE Metallocene is an advanced polymeric alloy used as an impact modifier that possesses incredibly high fatigue limits. It is resistant to environmental factors with particularly high thermal stability, which prevents breakage and cracking in extreme temperatures. This increases the long-term design strength and safety factors of geocells, thereby aligning their performance and durability with large load applications. Metallocene is added to the geocell in an amount achieving a 10.0 notched izod impact, comfortably qualifying as a nobreak material (which requires a notched izod impact of 4.0 or greater).
UV STABILIZATION Carbon Black absorbs UV light, preventing plastic damage from sun exposure. An industry standard for UV protection requires between 2.10 and 2.25 percent carbon black, as used in the wire and cable industry for 20 years of protection. Free-draining geocell contains 3% Carbon Black.
COMPONENTS OF A SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM
NATURAL TURF SYSTEM SAND PROFILE Synthetic drainage in natural turf applications is implemented below the sand profile. A filter fabric allows for the evacuation of water while holding the profile in place, the drainage infiltration rate is governed only by the permeability of the profile. In addition, the filter fabric creates a better perched water table for optimal turf growth which could lead up to a 75 percent reduction in the frequency of irrigation. Geocell Drainage Layer
SYNTHETIC TURF SYSTEM Synthetic drainage for synthetic turf field designs rests just below the turf, sandwiched between two layers of filter fabric, supported by an engineered liner. This promotes rapid and consistent drainage across the entire field governed only by the drainage infiltration rate of the synthetic turf. This helps prevent infill migration and allows for periodic field flushing. Geocell Drainage Layer
3 YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE USGA
RESEARCH OVERVIEW The research, with the main sponsors being the USGA, was led by Dr. Kevin McInnes an Environmental Soil Physicist and James Thomas of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M. They conducted a three year study of the performance of synthetic drainage vs. traditional gravel drainage. These tests concluded that a synthetic drainage profile can hold up to 4 more days plant-available water, see chart (a) on SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE VS. USGA GRAVEL slide. Geocell drainage creates a better perched water table as compared to the gravel bed used in USGA recommended systems. Gravel will allow some continuous water films to form and thereby increase the tension and remove additional water from the overlying root zone. The geocell drainage does not support the formation of such water films and thus forms a better perched water table. No clogging of any of the tested geotextiles was observed in any of the root zone materials that met or were slightly finer than the USGA particle size recommendations.
USGA GRAVEL METHOD 30 cm depth root zone. Sand based for quick drainage. 10 cm depth gravel. Move water laterally to drain pipes. Sand-Based Root Zone Gravel Drain Pipe Stabilized Base USGA GRAVEL DESIGN
SYNTHETIC METHOD Gravel replaced with 2.5 cm depth Synthetic Geocell Sand-Based Root Zone Geotextile Filter Fabric Geocell with Impact Modifier Engineered Liner Drain Pipe Stabilized Base SYNTHETIC DESIGN
In 2002 and 2004, geocell drainage systems were installed at Texas A&M University. Both the soccer and the softball game fields were available for study while under constant use. Both Ellis Soccer Field and Aggie Softball Stadium game fields performed incredibly compared to the traditional gravel fields on site. The synthetic drainage remained playable while the gravel drainage caused standing water, delays, missed practices and cancelled games. SYNTHETIC METHOD
SYNTHETIC METHOD 63 test plots were created to simulate gravel and geocell drainage with a variety of sand mixtures and soil compositions. Under strict supervision, these plots were maintained and measured by members of the Department of Soil Crops and Sciences.
SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE VS. USGA GRAVEL (a) (b) (c) Over the course of time and in every test, the geocell synthetic system held more useable water in the soil profile when compared to traditional gravel (figure a). Geocell drainage maintained more useable water (at depths most advantageous for the promotion of root growth) as opposed to traditional gravel (figure b). This water holding capacity reduces irrigation frequency by creating a better perched water table (figure c). *The rapid rises in the water content shown above are from rainfall.
SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS Athletic Fields: Football Baseball Softball Soccer Rugby Lacrosse Field Hockey Tennis Courts Golf Courses: Greens Tee Boxes Fairways Bunkers Golf Cart Paths Other: Roof Tops / Green Roofs Playgrounds K9 Areas Equestrian Facilities Riding Arenas Jumping Arenas
GOLF Synthetic drainage can be used for tee boxes, greens and bunkers. Geocell systems create a void below the sand root zone mix that creates a better perched water table.
GREEN ROOFS Green roofing is a fantastic way to reduce the heat island effect of urban areas while creating enjoyable spaces for residents and employees. Utilizing a synthetic drainage layer in a green roof design provides an incredibly strong surface while allowing for an inch of temporary water storage beneath. Lightweight at only 3 pounds per 7 square feet ASTM D6254 tested at 33,552 psf. (233 psi unfilled) Palletized at 32.5 x 32.5 and 798 sqft of geocell per pallet Can easily be transported in an elevator Synthetic drainage geocell is also easy to work with, install and fashion in unique layouts Move storm water rapidly or capture for retention, reclamation and reuse Synthetic turf 100% recycled polyester getextile fabric 1 geocell system provides.57 gallons per sq.ft. of water storage or open space capacity for rapid drainage preventing surface ponding 100% recycled polyester getextile fabric Waterproof sealed roof R-value; air has been proven to be the best insulator, and with the 92% air void space created by the Geocell s one inch profile, the energy efficiency of the roof is drastically increased
In addition to the typical benefits of synthetic drainage, geocell systems can be applied over existing concrete structures. Geocells allow surface flushing in public play areas. PLAYGROUNDS
Similar to play areas, synthetic drainage is also under hundreds of dog runs across the country. With a 92% air void space underneath the K9 synthetic turf, the Geocell s one inch profile makes it easy to set up a flushing system to wash away any unwanted waste left behind. K9 FACILITIES
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES Geocell drainage can be used in any application with a sand profile.
NATURAL TURF INSTALLATION The subbase is prepared, strictly adhering to engineer specifications. Engineered liner and filter fabric cushioning layers are applied to the field cavity from end to end and through trenches, per specifications. The geocell is staged and assembled across the entire field surface using simple, patented connectors. Filter fabric is applied over the geocell across the entire field surface in preparation for the sand profile application. The sand/root zone mix is applied and the surface is either seeded or sodded according to the region and season. Your new natural grass field is now ready for play!
SYNTHETIC TURF INSTALLATION The subbase is prepared, strictly adhering to engineer specifications. The geocell arrives in convenient pallets that can be placed around the field for easy access. Engineered liner and filter fabric cushioning layers are applied to the field cavity from end to end and through trenches, per specifications. The geocell is staged and assembled across the entire field surface using simple, patented connectors. Filter fabric is applied over the geocell across the entire field surface in preparation for the synthetic turf application. Turf and infill installation completes the new field - it is now ready for play!
SHIPPING AND DELIVERY Geocells are conveniently stacked onto specialized 32.5 x 32.5 recycled pallets at 114 parts per pallet, yielding approximately 798 sqft per pallet. The geocells are then wrapped and stored in a warehouse until delivery. Once on site, the pallets are easily tarped until use (geocells have been tarped for over 8 months through multi-foot snow storms). Pallets can be recycled once unloaded.
SUSTAINABILITY IN SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE
WATER CONSERVATION Superintendents report that one of the benefits of a better perched water table (created by a synthetic drainage system) is a significant reduction in irrigation. An example of typical irrigation needs for a field might include 160 irrigations per year at 1/4 per watering. The number of annual waterings could be drastically reduced saving over a million gallons of water per year on a 100,000 sqft field.
WATER RECLAMATION Because geocell synthetic drainage includes an inch of void space below the surface and is more than 92% air, the water hitting the field can be captured and reused on a well planned sustainable site, making it almost, if not completely, self sustaining. For instance, Los Angeles County receives fifteen inches of annual rain fall. At that rate, on a 100,000 sqft field there are approximately 943,750 gallons of water available for capture and reuse over the entire site. Field Waterings at.25 per Sq. Ft. Gallons per 100,000 Sq. Ft. 1 15,625 2 31,250 3 46,875 4 62,500 5 78,125 6 93,750 7 109,375 Reclamation of Rain Water Hitting Field Inches Gallons 1" 62,500 3" 187,500 6" 375,000 1 Year 15.1" 943,750 10 Year 151 9,437,500 *.625 gallons = 1" per sqft - Typical Los Angeles rainfall, savings in other climates may be much higher. On natural grass profile, root zone must be at full capacity before these numbers might apply. Example for discussion purposes only.
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT Synthetic drainage systems aid in low impact development by preserving existing natural areas during and after installation. Designed to limit site disturbance, geocell systems drastically reduce required earthwork. Smaller staging areas (approximately 2,400 square feet for an entire sports field) limit the compaction area in the construction space. Synthetic drainage systems also reduce related trucking disturbances, including traffic to and from the site, waiting trucks, airborne contaminants and sediment tracking. The need for storm water trenches, combined sewers/storm water systems, and backfill are additionally reduced. A football field that uses a geocell drainage system can reduce needed linear trenches by 50%. Additionally, the typical herringbone French drains in the middle of the field are completely eliminated.
CARBON FOOTPRINT On a 96,000 sqft project, a synthetic system can deliver an entire football field s drainage in approximately 2 truckloads. Compare that to 80-100 gravel trucks weighing over 20 tons each moving to and from the site. All materials (geocells and filter fabric) are composed of recycled content and shipped on pallets that can be recycled after unloading.
ROOFTOP FIELDS Sustainable site design in green roofs create water savings and energy efficiencies. Green roofing replaces the green space displaced by a building, prevents excess storm water drainage, and reduces the temperature of a building as well as the urban heat island effect. A green roof also protects and extends the useful life of a rooftop and reduces energy demands. What's more, a green roof incorporating synthetic drainage means your design includes renewable, recycled, and often locally obtained materials. Combining a sports field with a green roof brings all of these benefits plus saved real estate in already congested facilities.
GOAL ANCHORING Injury and death as a result of improperly secured goals is an all too common experience. Specialized geocell drainage systems offer a builtin, movable soccer goal anchoring system integrated into the drainage layer below artificial turf. This anchoring is recommended by FIFA, CPSC, NFHS, NCAA, US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. This system is also 100% recyclable and meets the ASTM F2609 and European EN Standards for a variety of goals. The adhesive used is FIFA approved, 100% green, contains no solvents or isocyanates, and has less than 2% VOC.
SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDY University of Phoenix Stadium Home of the Arizona Cardinals, Super Bowl XLII in 2008, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl 2007-present, numerous regular season games and many special events, the University of Phoenix Stadium is the most advanced venue in the NFL. For the past 5 years, the NFL Player s Association has voted it the best field in the NFL. With a massive rolling tray of live turf that grows outside and is brought in for game play, the Cardinals team knew they needed serious performance from a lightweight drainage product. After months of testing over two dozen products, the geocell drainage system was chosen as the clear performance and price leader.
CASE STUDY Chesapeake Energy Only 5 weeks after installation, the turf on the synthetic geocell drainage system for Chesapeake Energy Rooftop Sports Field is performing as expected with 6 inch root growth. Even in a record breaking Oklahoma summer of 55 plus days with over 100 degree heat, the turf is healthy and beautiful. The Chesapeake Central Car Park natural turf field is already one of the premier rooftop installations in the country. Designed by Elliott + Associates Architects, constructed by Smith & Pickel, and installed by Total Environment, not only is it a playable sports surface but the sand profile also makes it a filtration system that captures all the water hitting the profile and allows the water to pass through and into the adjoining creek without any question of the quality of water exiting the field, all made possible by using the synthetic geocell drainage system.
CASE STUDY Texas A&M University Soccer Field In 2002 a geocell drainage system was installed in Ellis field, the varsity soccer field at Texas A&M University. During heavy rains this field never experienced a rainout, while practices and games on surrounding fields had to be cancelled. Since that time, Texas A&M has replaced their Aggie Softball and Baseball game fields with a geocell drainage system as well.
CASE STUDY Texas A&M Aggie Softball Field One of three perfectly performing natural turf geocell drainage fields at Texas A&M, the softball field has enjoyed 8 years of use without missed games or practices. The synthetic drainage fields at Texas A&M are proven models for modern sustainable site design.
CASE STUDY Texas A&M University Olsen Field Texas A&M enjoys world-class college baseball without worry of rainouts or puddling due to poor drainage. Their third geocell drainage system continues to impress with healthy turf and improved player safety.
CASE STUDY T. Boone Pickens Field at Oklahoma State University Installed in 2007, an outstanding field design incorporating geocell drainage functions in heavy rainfall and inclimate weather in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
CASE STUDY Kehoe Track and Ludwig Field Kehoe Track and Ludwig Field is home to the University of Maryland Soccer and Track & Field teams. It also hosts WUSA s own Washington Freedom, 21 NCAA Tournament games, including 11 Maryland wins in the tournament in the last three years. The Maryland Terrapins varsity soccer team chose a synthetic drainage system due to decreased impact on playability from inclimate weather. They also enjoyed rapid installation and accelerated root zone growth (8 inches in 3 weeks).
CASE STUDY Estadio Metropolitano de Barquisimeto Stadium This stadium in Caracas, Venezuela was voted the best field in World Cup Soccer, with players and fans raving Internationally about the superior playability, durability, and overall performance of the field and synthetic drainage system.
CASE STUDY Established in 1937 Escuela Campo Alegre is an accredited North American International School located in Caracas, Venezuela. Throughout its history the school has provided innovative education which focuses on individual student needs. Therefore, it comes as no surprise Escuela Campo Alegre chose synthetic geocell drainage for the schools new state of the art athletic complex, located on top of its latest extension, a three story building, housing an early childhood center, a gym, which can be divided into three multiple use courts, and maintenance areas. The project included an 80,000 gallon storage tank installed next to the parking garage to capture, store and reuse for collateral landscape and grey water. Designers were Kunckel Arquitectos Asociados (glocalstudio Caracas) and H2L2 of Philadelphia, USA.. Escuela Campo Alegre
CASE STUDY Northern Arizona University After a successful 282,000 square foot synthetic drainage installation at NAU, over 800 pallets from the job site were recycled.
CASE STUDY Maryland Soccerplex An incredible 24 field facility in Germantown, Maryland utilized synthetic drainage on the 3 synthetic fields built for maximum use with minimal maintenance year-round.
CASE STUDY Binghamton High School A 47,000 square foot artificial turf rooftop field saves space and provides a puddle-free practice and game surface even during inclimate weather. Providing a temporary 1 storage area beneath the field prevents overwhelming storm water systems and brings options of grey water reuse.
CASE STUDY Geocell open grid systems can also be used for flexible porous paving, grass pave fire lanes, emergency access roads, and general turf reinforcement, to name just a few. Benefits of a geocell open grid system: 100% recycled injection-molded copolymer polypropylene plastic units with an impact modifier added to achieve a (NO-BREAK) plastics classification and a minimum 3% carbon black added for UV protection Loading capability is equal to 233 psi empty capacity and 6,747 psi when filled with sand, over an appropriate base depth that provides adequate support for project design loads. Palletized at 7 sq. ft. per part 114 parts per pallet and approximately 798 sq. ft. per pallet. Unit weight = 3.10 lbs, volume = 8% solid Patented Expansion and Contraction joints eliminates buckling and separation during installation Reduces impervious surface and maintains the existing landscape Routes storm water into the earth as nature intended Decreases the amount of run-off entering storm water systems
GEOCELL CASE STUDY
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION Synthetic drainage systems are a key component in the evolution of sustainable athletic field design and construction. Not only does a geocell system bring the discussed benefits to the field, it also optimizes the water management efforts of the entire site and facility. Synthetic Drainage System Exit Drainage Water Retention for Reuse
COURSE SUMMARY Now, the design professional will be able to: Describe the 3 distinct methods of sports field drainage. Explain the design and manufacturing of an injected molded, freedraining geocell for sustainable site design. Identify the components of a synthetic drainage system in both natural and artificial turf applications. Explain the importance of the 3 year Texas A&M Research Project in partnership with the USGA. Describe how synthetic drainage design is applied to both natural and artificial turf applications. List the sustainable attributes of synthetic drainage. List case studies of successful synthetic drainage installations.
GreenCE, Inc. 2010 AIRFIELD SYSTEMS Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz online at greence.com to receive credit Michael Bean 405.359.3775 or 405.361.2887 michaelb@airfieldsystems.com SYNTHETIC DRAINAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN MODERN SPORTS FIELD CONSTRUCTION Course Number: GAF33A Course Credit: I AIA HSW/SD CE Hour and 1 GBCI CE Hour for LEED Professionals