GrassMaster
GrassMaster is a hybrid grass sports playing field surface composed of natural grass combined with artificial fibres. The method was developed and patented by Desso Sports from the Netherlands in 1993. This hybrid grass system is now marketed and further developed by Tarkett Sports after a takeover of Desso Sports and has been rebranded since as GrassMaster.
Technology
GrassMaster reinforces a natural grass pitch by vertically inserting 20 million polypropylene (PP) fibres into the soil equally spread over the entire playing field. The 20 cm (7.9 in) long PP fibres are injected by computer-controlled machines, 18 cm (7.1 in) deep so 2 cm (0.8 in) remains above the surface.[1] The PP fibres are inserted in a grid of about 2 cm × 2 cm (0.8 in × 0.8 in). The grass roots entwine with the fibres and grow deeper and wider.[2] The PP fibres above the surface are designed to ensure an even and stable surface. GrassMaster may be installed before seeding, after seeding or on grass sods.[3]
Major installations
References
- Oldenkotte, Guy (2 September 2020). "Hybrid fields discussed - By Guy Oldenkotte". Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- Anderson, F. D.; Fleming, P.; Sherratt, P.; Severn, K. (1 January 2016). "Design and Development of a Novel Natural Turf Shear Stability Tester". Procedia Engineering. 147: 842–847. doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.293. ISSN 1877-7058.
- "Home - GrassMaster Solutions". grassmastersolutions.com.
- "Sheffield Wednesday: Work continues on Desso pitch". Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- "VIDEO: Sheffield Wednesday on track with new state-of-the-art pitch". Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- "Le Stade de France choisit Tarkett Sports et sa technologie Desso GrassMaster". dessosports. Paris. Archived from the original on 2016-08-10.
- "High-tech hybrid grass for Grêmio Arena". GFPA. Porto Alegre (RS,Brazil). Archived from the original on 2013-06-06.
- "Pitch Refurbishment Underway". LCFC. Leicester. Archived from the original on 2011-05-30.
- "How Arsenal have put Wembley in the shade" (PDF). The Times. London.
- "LSV beats the big freeze!". Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- "Manchester City inaugurates brand new stadium". Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- Parsons, Tom (5 June 2013). "Pitch battle prompts Manchester United to switch to new surface". Inside World Football. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- "Louis van Gaal: New Manchester United manager orders club to rip up training ground pitches before his arrival". The Independent. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- "Pitch relay news Desso is go". WatfordFC.com. London. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
- "The Wembley pitch". FATV. London.
- "Dunedin's hi-tech stadium open for business". tvnz. New Zealand.
- "Liberty Stadium Pitch - Official Stadium Website". Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
- "Millennium Stadium to have new hybrid playing surface". BBC Sport. 23 May 2014.
- "Cardiff City Stadium, Home of Cardiff City FC". cardiffcitystadium.co.uk.
- "A new pitch for the Blades". Retrieved 29 April 2019.