Site Investigation
Almost always, the first thing that needs to happen when considering sport surface projects of whatever kind, is the undertaking of a site investigation. When we report on these, the data is fully analysed and interpreted so that you can appreciate why we make the recommendations that we do and say what we think needs to happen.
A site investigation report will also give you a good idea of how much things are likely to cost. This is particularly useful if you are applying for grant funding for your project.
Exactly what features of a site are assessed during a site investigation depends on the aims of the project.
Things we Almost Always Need to Know
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The size and shape of the area.
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The topography of the area.
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The soil type, geology and hydrological characteristics of the site.
For Existing Natural Turf Sports Pitches
A very wide and more or less open-ended range of factors may be assessed. Sport England and other sporting bodies have a series of tests (Performance Quality Standards - PQSs) all of which we undertake.
For Land Yet to be Turned into Sports Pitches
For such locations, which may be agricultural or demolition sites, interest lies chiefly in the nature of the subsoil, the drainage characteristics of the subsoil and the locality in general and the usability, or otherwise, of the topsoil.
Drones and Aerial Survey/Photography
Our site investigations have been made considerably more informative through the use of our UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – drones). We are qualified and insured to fly these for commercial purposes. The drones (we have several) allow the preparation of detailed plans of the site which facilitates, for example, the accurate quantification of areas requiring particular treatments (very useful for example in Events). Plant health can also be mapped using our multi-spectral camera drone. This allows the identification of parts of a surface that may be needing irrigation, pest or disease control, fertiliser etc.
For Artificial Sports and Other Surfaces
We’re more interested in the subsoil characteristics, in particular its strength. To assess this we determine California Bearing Ratios (CBR) values using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer.
The hydraulic and structural properties of the subsoil are also of interest and may be examined on the basis of core samples taken from the site.
Site Appraisals
These have been made considerably more effective through the use of our drone, which we are licensed to fly for commercial purposes such as this. The drone allows the preparation of detailed plans of the site which facilitates, for example, the accurate quantification of areas requiring particular treatments, for example over-seeding, fertiliser application or weed control. Plant health can also be mapped allowing the targeting of fertiliser and irrigation requirements.
