A guide to field construction principles using USGA Standards

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Drainage

if a subsurface drainage system is required a pattern of Drainage pipes should be designed so that the main lines, with a minimum diameter of 100 mm, is placed along the line of maximum fall. 100 mm diameter laterals shall run up and across the slope of the sub grade, allowing a natural fall to the main line. Lateral lines shall be spaced not more than five meters apart and extended to the perimeter of the green. Lateral lines should be placed in water collecting depressions, should they exist. At the low end of the gradient, and adjacent to the main lines exit from green, Drainage pipe should be placed along the perimeter of the green, extending to the ends of the first set of laterals. This will facilitate drainage of water that may accumulate at the low end of the drainage area.

Drainage design considerations should be given to disposal of drainage waters away from playing areas, and to the laws regulating drainage or to disposal.

PVC or corrugated plastic drainage pipe is preferred. Where such pipe is unavailable, clay or concrete tile is acceptable. Waffl drains or any tubing encased in a geotextile sleeves are not recommend.

Drainage trenches 150 mm wide and a minimum of 200 mm deep shall be cut into our a thoroughly compacted sub grade so that the drainage lines slope uniformly. Spoil from the trenches should be removed from the sub grade cavity, and the floor of the trench should be smooth and clean.

If a geotextile fabric is to be used as a barrier between an unstable sub soil and the gravel drainage blanket, it should be installed at this time. Under no circumstances should be fabric cover the drainage pipes or trenches

A layer of gravel should be placed in the trench to a minimum depth of 25 mm. It may be deeper, as necessary, to and sure a positive slope along the entire run of drainage lines. If cost is a consideration, gravel sized 6 to 25 mm may be used for the drainage trench only.

All drainage pipe should be placed on the gravel bed in the trench, assuring a minimum positive slope of 0.5 percent. PVC drain pipe, if used, should be placed in the trench with the holes facing down. Backfill with additional gravel, taking care not to displace any of the drainage pipe.

Gravel and Intermediate Layers

Placed great stakes at frequent intervals over the sub grade and mark them for the gravel drainage blanket layer, intermediate layer (if included), and root zone layer.

The entire sub grade then shall be covered with a layer holds clean, washed, crushed stone or pea gravel to a minimum thickness of 100 mm, conforming to the proposed final surface grade to a tolerance of 25 mm.

Soft limestone, sandstones, or shales are not acceptable. Questionable materials should be tested for weathering stability using the sulfate soundness test (ASTM C-88). A loss or material greater than 12 percent by weight is unacceptable.

The LA abrasion test (ASTM C-131) should be performed on any materials suspected of having insufficient mechanical stability to withstand ordinary construction traffic. The value obtained using this procedure should not exceed 40. Soil engineering laboratory's can provide this information.

The need for an intermediate layer is based on the particle size distribution of the root zone mix relative to that of the gravel. When properly sized gravel is available, the intermediate layer is not necessary. If the properly sized gravel cannot be found, and intermediate layer must be used.

A. Selection and Placement of Materials When the Intermediate Layer Is Used.

Table 1: describes the particle size requirements of the gravel and the intermediate layer material when the intermediate layer is required.

The intermediate layer shall be sprayed to uniform thickness of 50 to 100 mm over the gravel drainage blanket (eg., if a 75 mm depth is selected, the material shall be kept at that depth across the entire area), and the surface shall conform to the contours all of the proposed finished grade.

B. Selection of Gravel When the Intermediate Layer Is Not Used.

If an appropriate gravel can be identified, the intermediate layer need not be included in the construction of the green. In some instances, this can save a considerable amount of time and money.

Selection of this gravel is based on the particle size distribution of the root zone material. The architect and or construction superintendent must work closely with the soil testing Laboratory in selecting the appropriate gravel. Either of the following two methods may be used:

1. Send samples of different gravel materials to the lab when submitting samples of components for the root zone mix. As a general guideline, look for gravel in the 2 mm to 6 mm range. The lab first will determine the best root zone mix, and then will test the gravel samples to determine if any meet the guidelines outlined below.

2. Submit samples of the components for the root zone mix, and ask laboratory to provide a description, based on the root zone mix tests, of the particle size distribution required of the gravel. Use the description to locate one or more appropriate gravel materials, and submit them to the lab for confirmation.

Gravel meeting the criteria below will not require the intermediate layer. It is not necessary to understand the details of these recommendations; the key is to work closely with the soil testing lab in selecting gravel. Strict adherence to these criteria is imperative; failure to follow these guidelines could result in greens failure.

The criteria are based on engineering principles which rely on the largest 15 percent of the root zone particles "bridging" with the smallest 15 percent of the gravel particles. Smaller voids are produced, and they prevent migration of root zone particles into the gravel yet maintain adequate permeability. The D85 (root zone) is defined as the particle diameter below which 85 percent all of the soil particles (by weight) are smaller. The D15 (gravel) is defined as the particle diameter below which 15 percent of the gravel particles (by weight) are smaller.

For bridging to occur, the D15 (gravel) must be less than or equal to five times the D85 (root zone). To maintain adequate permeability across the root zone /gravel interface, the D15 (gravel) shall be greater than or equal to five times the D15 (root zone). The gravel shall have a uniformity coefficient (Gravel D90/Gravel D15) of less than or equal to 2.5.

Furthermore, any gravel selected shall have 100 percent passing a 12 mm sieve and not more than 10 percent passing a 2 mm sieve, including not more than five percent passing a 1 mm sieve.

The Root Zone Mixture.

Sand Selection: the same the used in a USGA root zonemix shall be selected so that the particle size distribution of the final Root Zone Mixture is as described.

Soil Selection: if soil is used in the root zone mix, it shall have a minimum sand content:of 60 percent, and a clay content of 5 percent to 20 percent. The final particle size distribution of the sand soil peat mix shall conform to that outlined in these recommendations, and meet the physical properties described herein.

Organic Matter Selection:

Peats -. The most commonly used organic component is a peat. If selected, it shall have a minimum organic matter content of 85 percent by weight as determined by loss on ignition (ASTM D 2974-87 Method D).

Other organic sources.-. Organic sources such as rice hulls, finely ground bark, sawdust, or other organic waste products are acceptable if compost through a thermothilic stage, to a mesothilic stabilization phase, and with the approval of the soil physical testing laboratory. Composts shall be aged for at least one year. Furthermore, the root zone mix with compost as the organic amendment must meet the physical properties as defined in these recommendations.

Composts can vary not only the source, but also from batch to batch within a source. Extreme caution must be exercised when selecting a compost material. Unproven composts must be shown to be nonphytotoxic using a Bentgrass will Bermudagrass bioassay on the compost extract.

Inorganic and Other Amendments:. Inorganic amendments, others the sand, polyacrylamides, and reinforcement Materials are not recommended at this time in USGA root zone mixes..

Physical Properties of the Root Zone Mix:. The root zone mix shall have the properties summarized, as tested by USGA protocol (proposed ASTM standards).

Under the heading Saturated Conductivity, normal range free first two circumstances where normal conditions desired for growing the these side turfgrass species.. Accelerated range refers to conditions where water quality is poor, cool season turfgrass species are being grown out of range of a depth, or dust storms or high rainfall events are common.

Related Concerns

It is absolutely essential to mix all root zone components off-site. No valid justification can be made for on-site mixing, since a homogeneous mixture is essential to success.

A quality control program during construction is strongly recommended. Arrangements should be made with a competent laboratory to routinely check gravel and/or root zone samples brought to the construction site. It is imperative that these materials conform to the recommendations approved by the laboratory in all respects. Some tests can be performed on site with the proper equipment, including snad particles size distribution.

Care should be taken to avoid overshreading the peat, since it may influence performance of the mix in the field. Peat should be moist during the mixing stage to ensure uniform mixing and to minimize Peat and Sand separation.

Fertiliser should be blended into the root zone mix. Lime, Phosphorus, and Potassium should be added based on a soil test recommendation. In lieu of a soil test, mix about 250g or 0-20-10 or an equivalent fertiliser pr cubic metre of mix.

Top Mix Covering, Placement, Smoothing, and Firming

The thoroughly mixed root zone material shall be placed on site and firmed to a uiform depth of 300mm, with a tolerance of 10mm. Be sure that the mix is moist when spread to discourage migration into the gravel and to assist firming.

Seed Bed Preparation

Sterilisation: Sterilisation of the root zone mix by fumigation should be decided on a case by case basis, depending on regional factors. Fumigation always should be performed.

1. In areas prone to severe Nematode problems.

2. In areas with severe weedy grass or nutsedge problems.

3. When root zone mixes contain unsterilized soil.

From: Green Section - USGA.ORG 1993