Citation:
Matt C. J. Caple, Iain T. James, Mark D. Bartlett and David I. Bartlett. Development of a Simplified Dynamic Testing Device for Turfed Sports Surfaces. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, June 2011, vol. 225 no. 2 pp103-109
Abstract:
The response of natural turf surfaces to loading changes with the force and
loading rate applied. Quantification of surface behaviour to athlete loading is
complicated by the lack of devices that replicate forces, stresses and loading
rates of athletes that can be specifically used on natural turf. To address this
issue, a vertical dynamic impact testing device, the DST, was developed. The DST
consists of a compressed air driven ram which vertically impacts a studded test
foot onto the surface using data from biomechanical studies. The vertical
dynamic stress of athlete foot strike during running is replicated, using peak
force and mean boot contact area data. The ram pressure is adjustable to allow
variation of the stress applied upon impact, potentially replicating a range of
athlete-surface interactions. Initial laboratory testing indicated that the
device was sensitive to changes in soil condition due to variations in impact
data. Total penetration time and distance, and surface energy absorption were
all significantly greater in prepared ‘soft' soil treatments (p<0.05). Loading
rate in the first 50 ms after impact was significantly greater in the ‘hardest'
soil treatment (p<0.05). Future research work will determine in-situ behaviour
of actual playing surfaces, compare device loading rates to those of athletes,
and assess surfaces to a range of stres
