ASTM F2898-11

This test method can be used to determine in-place permeability of synthetic turf playing field systems, playing field systems with pad and or premolded drainage boards, playing field systems with premolded panel base systems, porous and non porous pavement systems in order to confirm compliance with design specifications and or evaluate existing as-built conditions. The simplicity of the test method, the quickness of the procedure, and the limited requirement for special tools and apparatus’ makes this ideal for performing a large quantity of tests over a large area such as a sports field.

Synthetic turf field systems tend to drain under several flow regimes. The first flow regime is surface flow where water travels across the surface from typically higher elevations to lower elevations. The second flow regime is flow through the turf surface and base system. The third flow regime is lateral flow, which has two parts. Lateral flow within the section of the turf surface and lateral flow within the pre-molded drainage board, porous pavement and or base stone system below the turf. These are depicted diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

This test method can provide owners, designers and turf system builders with a clear indication of actual in-field permeability flow rates with limited effect of lateral flow through base systems and no effect from head pressure.

This test method can be used to determine the effectiveness of treatments intended to reduce the effect of hydrophobicity which has been known to decrease the permeability of some synthetic turf infill materials and components.

The observable performance of the test method enables one to determine permeability by both a quantitative and qualitative measure.

1.1 This test method may be used to determine the permeability rate of synthetic turf playing field systems, playing field systems with pad or premolded drainage boards, or both, playing field systems with premolded panel base systems, porous and non porous pavement systems, or base stone systems in the field, or a combination thereof, by non-confined area flood test method. This system is suitable for use on the finish synthetic turf playing surface and on the stone base system below the playing system.

1.2 This test method is applicable for synthetic turf playing field systems and stone bases where system is designed for permeability through the synthetic turf surface and or through a base stone surface. It is also suitable for synthetic turf playing systems that are directly underlined with resilient and nonresilient pre-molded drainage boards systems and porous pavement base systems. The method tests a larger surface area than confined ring test methods and decreases the effect lateral flow within the surface and or stone base system due to the large increase in the ratio of test surface area to the synthetic turf playing system and stone base system thickness. The method is intended to more accurately mimic natural storm flow conditions by eliminating the effect of head pressure created by the water column height which creates a pressure flow condition at the surface of the test area that does not exist naturally.

1.3 This test method is intended for finish-graded and compacted stone or finished surfaces that are installed with cross-slope gradients of less than 2.0 % or under conditions where the effect of cross-slope is mitigated by high system permeability. High sloping systems tend to have high sloping base systems which may impact results due to increases in the lateral flow within the section caused increased hydraulic energy caused by larger slopes.

1.4 This test method is not applicable for conditions or locations in-which surface flow, due to high surface cross-slope or proximity, carries water flow from the test site to surface and subsurface drainage trenches or structures.

1.5 Further, this test method may be impacted if preformed directly after a significant rainfall event in cases where the downstream capacity of the receiving drainage system is taxed to the extent that water backs up in the downstream system.

1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.