Soil and Sand TestingWhether as part of a more general site appraisal or for more specific purposes, we regularly provide our clients with data on various aspects of soil condition. During any site visit, excavation reveals the nature of the soil profile as it will affect a sports surface established on it. Various aspects of the soil may also be quantified to inform subsequent procedures, for example drainage design or soil handling methods.
These include quantitative determination of soil texture (sand, silt, clay and organic matter content). This can be estimated by hand or measured accurately in the laboratory. Soil samples may be tested for example against the relevant British Standard or, more usually, the data are interpreted by us on their own merits. Chemical tests such as pH, a Sport England requirement for site appraisals, we carry out ourselves. Mineral content, phosphate, potassium, magnesium etc are also provided and these tests are carried out by an approved laboratory as circumstances require. The results are fully interpreted by us for our clients' particular contexts. Of particular relevance to natural turf sports surfaces (and hybrid surfaces) are tests of soil structure which we undertake ourselves on samples collected in the field. These include bulk density, total and air filled porosity, moisture release characteristics and theoretical hydraulic conductivity. Very few consultancies are able to provide these data which, along with other measures of soil performance, notably soil texture and infiltration rate, can provide a substantial quantification of the likely performance characteristics of a soil in the field. With our moisture sensing apparatus we are able to monitor soil moisture either at various depths within a soil profile or over a particular area. Linked to GPS, we can map moisture distribution in this way. Water infiltration and CBRIn the field we routinely carry out infiltration measurement using double ring infiltrometers. These are designed for sports turf use on relatively free-draining soils and the data are often required by funding providers, for example Sport England.
Planning authorities often ask for data on subsoil infiltration (percolation) rate in association with proposed sports facility developments. These data inform drainage and soakaway design according to SUDS principles principally for artificial but increasingly for natural surfaces as well. (See Other Technical Services). We undertake this quite demanding measurement according to the procedures set down in BRE365. The results are incorporated into planning applications and of course into the drainage and attenuation system designs for our facilities. The installation of artificial pitches and floodlight columns usually requires CBR (California Bearing Ratio) testing of subsoils to confirm its stability under load. Suitable data may be obtained using our Dynamic Cone Penetrometer. We have found that a 'contour' map of the area of the pitch showing the varying soil strengths gives the best indication of whether and where soil reinforcement may by necessary. |