Through which stages is indoor astroturf made?
With football facilities, indoor and outdoor astroturfs have become widespread and in accordance, people began to have more interest in playing football. This has created a steady increase in the number of sports fields.
Basically, there are two different types of astroturfs; indoor and outdoor astroturfs. Indoor astroturfs are preferred more especially in regions with harsh climatic conditions. Thus, what must be done and which steps should be followed to construct an indoor astroturf? Let's examine them.
Preparation of Sub-structure
First and the most important stage for indoor astroturf is the preparation of the sub-structure. To have a solid and a smoother ground, a very good compaction must be done by using a vibrating roller. At the surrounding of ground at zero level, a foundation is dug and molds are placed.
Iron bars should be laid inside the molds and PVC pipes must be added in the beam for drainage. Thus, when water comes on the ground or the field is washed, it is ensured that the water on it gets discharged. After this, a concrete beam is formed and compacted well.
Iron and Steel Works
Plates which are carved in the beam around the field must be attached to pipes having a height of 4 meters and their upper parts must be fixed by using sheet plates. Trusses are placed at the top of the sheet plates above the vertical pipes and the pipes are fixed horizontally on the trusses. Hinged doors and field posts are made by using pipes at the place desired. Features of the pipes being used can vary depending on the condition of the project.
Wire Mesh and Net Assembly
After adding horizontal and vertical posts around the field, it must be surrounded with wire mesh. Post used should be rendered resistant to corrosion by means of dipping galvanized. Wire mesh should be mounted around the posts with electric terminals. Perimeter of the field may be covered with polyamide yarn with size of 15 x 15 cm, and the goals must be covered with nets with size of 12 x 12 cm.
Artifical Turf Labor
A field with a much better quality can be obtained by laying the artificial turf floor with shockpad materials. Although the costs increase a little more, by using shockpad material, a much more comfortable field is created where injuries will be experienced less. If the shockpad is not to be used, densification should be done by pouring stone chips on the floor. Afterwards, it must be wetted and the felt should be laid on the top. After the felt is properly laid, artificial turf is laid. It is glued with very strong special adhesives in a way joints cannot be seen. Afterwards, the field lines are drawn as per the standards. Granule pouring process is realized, making the field become more useful and keeping it durable for a long time. At least 6 kg of granules should be poured per 1 m2. Spilled granules should be fed in an even way into the turf by using special tools. After this process is done, the ground of the field becomes ready.
Completion of Indoor Field
Astroturfs are mainly used in the evenings. People spend time at astroturfs after their work or on weekends. Hence, a good lighting system should be used to illuminate the field in the evenings. Equal number of LED lights are placed around it in accordance with the size of the field. These LED lights are placed on special posts which are placed at the top of the field posts. Following the light placement, light must be distributed all over the field in an even way. As the size of the field increases, the light power needed increases exponentially. Many very powerful LED lights are used in football fields where live broadcasts are made.
Indoor and outdoor astroturf construction include works requiring expertise. As in any job, it has its subtleties. In the use of correct and balanced material, the workmanship and quality of the work determines the quality of the field. The materials may be very good, but if the workmanship is not good, a quality field can not be obtained. In another scenario, regardless of how good the workmanship is, if the materials are chosen badly or incorrectly, the desired field will not come out. Being balanced in both aspects and making the right choice by making research will provide you with a field of the quality you want.
