A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. The support layer is further included in an artificial turf system, that includes an artificial turf assembly with the support layer supported on a base surface such as a layer of sand, wherein the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.

The invention relates to a shock pad comprising: a coherent plate having upper and lower major surfaces, wherein the coherent plate comprises at least one coherent layer comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition; an upper membrane layer bonded to the upper major surface of the coherent plate; a lower membrane layer bonded to the lower major surface of the coherent plate; wherein the at least one coherent layer has a thickness in the range of 12 mm to 40 mm and a density in the range of 175 kg/m.sup.3 to 300 kg/m.sup.3. The invention also relates to a method of producing the shock pad, and use of the shock pad for absorbing shock in a sports field, for absorbing and/or draining water in a sports field, and for cooling the surface temperature of a sports field.

Sports field (1), comprising abase structure (10) and a cover (13), wherein the cover is at least partly permeable to fluid, especially water, wherein the cover comprises a top layer (41) and a shock absorbing layer (38A) provided between the top layer and the base structure, wherein the shock absorbing layer has upper (38T) and lower (38L) surfaces and comprises manmade vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded by a cured binder, wherein the shock absorbing layer has a thickness (D38) between the upper and lower surfaces of between 12 and 40 mm and has a density of between 175 kg/m.sup.3 and 300 kg/m.sup.3, wherein the shock absorbing layer is hydrophilic, such that it can absorb a volume of water of between at least 20 to 95% of the volume of the shock absorbing layer. A method for forming a sports field and a method for operating a sports field are also disclosed.

An underlayment layer is configured to support an artificial turf assembly. The underlayment layer comprises plurality of panels, each panel comprising a core with a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of top projections. The top projections form top side water drainage channels. The panels have edges, with the edges of one panel abutting the edges of adjacent panels, thereby forming a drainage path between adjacent panels. The panel edges have vertical support extensions that extend into the drainage paths between adjacent panels. The vertical support extensions have an upper surface for supporting an artificial turf assembly overlying the turf underlayment layer, and the panel edges having one or more complementary indentations corresponding to vertical support extensions of adjacent panels. When the panels move toward each other, thereby closing drainage paths between adjacent panels, the vertical support extensions are received in the corresponding indentations.

The present invention relates to a sports field comprising: (i) a lower base layer; (ii) an upper grass and/or artificial grass layer; (iii) a shock pad layer, positioned between the base layer and the grass or artificial grass layer; wherein the shock pad layer comprises at least one shock pad comprising a coherent plate having upper and lower major surfaces, wherein the coherent plate comprises at least one coherent layer comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; wherein the aqueous binder composition prior to curing comprises: a component (i) in form of one or more oxidized lignins; a component (ii) in form of one or more cross-linkers; a component (iii) in form of one or more plasticizers.

The invention relates to a method for the construction and sustainable management of a hybrid turf sports ground, with management of a shallow water table in the structure of the sports ground, which comprises: a first step of constructing a structure (S) placed on a base (F), the structure comprising N stacked porous layers (Ci); a second step of installing turf on the surface of the top layer (Ci), the installation of the turf possibly being carried out by sowing; and, of the N layers, one hybrid layer (H) is constituted either (i) by a cultivation substrate that comprises synthetic reinforcing elements, or (ii) by a cultivation substrate that shares the space of the hybrid layer (H) with synthetic reinforcing elements.

Presented is an apparatus and system for an artificial turf system. The artificial turf system includes a backing layer having a plurality of fibers extending therefrom. The artificial turf system further includes a plurality of impact sensors located at least partially on, in, and/or beneath the backing layer, wherein the plurality of impact sensors are operable to detect a force or pressure applied to the backing layer.

A subsurface irrigation system for a sports field includes a substantially water impermeable layer, a compacted subgrade below the water impermeable layer, a plurality of water distribution boards positioned on top of the water impermeable layer, a porous layer overlaying the plurality of water distribution boards, and a sports field layer on top of the porous layer. The porous layer is configured to move water from the plurality of water distribution boards upwards to the sports field layer using capillary action to keep it damp. The sports field layer may be sand, dirt, clay, or a combination thereof. In addition, the system may include a water control basin in fluid communication with at least one water distribution board of the plurality of water distribution boards and configured to control the flow of water to the plurality of water distribution boards.

A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. The support layer is further included in an artificial turf system, that includes an artificial turf assembly with the support layer supported on a base surface such as a layer of sand, wherein the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.

Compositions and methods are presented in which aragonite, and especially oolitic aragonite particles are used as infill material in an artificial turf structure or as sub-growth substrate for natural grass. Advantageously, oolitic aragonite particles provide: a superior microporous surface for effective water saturation to impart thermal control and environmental compatibility; ammonia neutralization of urine by reducing urea hydrolysis with the free calcium presented in the aragonite particles; and aragonite particle uniformity allowing for reduced compaction and desirable water draining.