Abstract:
The understanding of the mechanical behaviour of natural turf pitches is limited, owed
in part to the deficiencies in current testing devices and methodologies. This research
aimed to advance the understanding of surface mechanical behaviour through in-situ
and laboratory experiments, and via the development of new testing devices.
An impact testing device, the Dynamic Surface Tester (DST) was developed, with
impacts replicating the magnitude of stress applied by athletes onto turfed surfaces
during running. Developmental experiments indicated that the device was sensitive to
changes in soil condition due to variations (P<0.05) in impact data. Cont/d.
