Mapesoil technology for San Siro Stadium
MAPEI TECHNOLOGY FOR HORIZONTAL DRAINAGE OF SYNTHETIC GRASS PLAYING SURFACES
The performance and comfort properties required from a playing surface, which determine whether it is suitable for a specific sport, must also be met when it rains: this means that an efficient system to drain water from the playing surface must be included to guarantee the functionality of the pitch, even when weather conditions are unfavorable (such as heavy rain over a short period of time just before an event or match).
Since drainage is such an important feature, MAPEI research has developed an innovative system to create sub-bases with a horizontal drainage system, that is, a technical solution whereby the water flows away just below the turf surface: an impermeable drainage layer is interposed between the synthetic grass playing surface and the sub-base which enables rainwater and irrigation water to flow off horizontally. The water flows off from the center of the playing area towards the edges of the pitch into drainage channels positioned around the perimeter of the playing surface.
With horizontal drainage of synthetic grass playing surfaces, the sub-base becomes the key element to the correct functionality and efficiency of the entire system, which means it must have certain characteristics:
? flatness: the surface of the sub-base must not have any hollows to make sure water flows away evenly and there are no paddles;
? slope: the surface of the sub-base should have proper sub-gradients to the side (from 0.58% to 0.63% i.e.) to guarantee that water flows off by gravity within a given time;
? volumetric stability: the sub-base must maintain its flatness and gradient over the years to guarantee the functionality of the playing surface;
? strength: the sub-base must have proper bearing capacity to withstand vehicles driving over the playing surface for maintenance work or during a match.
This technical solution, developed and perfected in MAPEI’s R&D laboratory specifically for the sports infrastructure sector, is based on the technical specifications of C.I.S.E.A. (the Italian Synthetic Grass Playing Fields Commission). It involves stabilising the existing soil under the playing surface by adding a powdered, fibre-reinforced stabilising agent with hydraulic properties, Mapesoil 100 or Mapesoil 50, which is mixed with the soil to give the sub-base characteristics which create the correct horizontal drainage properties for the playing surface.
What are Mapesoil 100 and Mapesoil 50?
Mapesoil 100 and Mapesoil 50 are hydraulic, fiber-reinforced stabilizing agents in powder form which are used to make sub-bases for synthetic grass playing fields with horizontal drainage by means of a soil-stabilization process. The main areas of use for Mapesoil 100 and Mapesoil 50 are:
? sub-bases for synthetic grass playing surfaces with horizontal drainage (e.g. football pitches, etc.);
? consolidating and stabilising sub-bases for existing playing surfaces (e.g. clay tennis courts);
? maintenance work on existing synthetic grass playing fields by cold-recycling existing bitumen conglomerate sub-bases.
ADVANTAGES
The use of Mapesoil 100 and Mapesoil 50 technology to make sub-bases for synthetic grass playing surfaces offers numerous technical and economic advantages, such as:
? simple application;
? the treatment thickness may be reduced considerably (8-15 cm) with the same performance;
? the soil available on site and/or recycled material may be used, reducing materials handling and energy consumption;
? the time required to make the sub-base for the playing surface may be reduced;
? the durability of the treatment may be increased;
? improves the efficiency of the playing field’s horizontal drainage system;
? improves playing comfort and offers a safer playing surface for athletes;
? meets the technical and performance requirements of professional and amateur football associations.
MAPESOIL VD, CHRONOS 202 VF, MAPESOIL 50, MAPESOIL 100, ULTRABOND TURF 2 STARS, ULTRABOND TURF PU 1K, ULTRABOND TURF PU 2K,