CONDITION OF OutcomeSafety THE INFIELD - stma.org · •Install Materials to meet Objectives Repeat Cycle Until Test Results Match Specification ... Gravel Sand Silt Clay V. Coarse

OutcomeSafetyCONDITION OF

THE INFIELD

THE GOOD

THE BAD

THE DIRTY&

© Copyright 2010-2011 Beacon Athletics, Division of Rainbow Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2010-2011 Natural Sand Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

ANATOMYof an

INFIELD SKIN



COMPOSITION

“Marbles in a Jar”• Particles vary in size

• Larger particles create “void space”

• Smaller particles fill the “void space”

• Variety of particle sizes needed for optimum density



COMPOSITIONSandSHAPE• Low/Med Sphericity, Sub-Angular to Sub-Rounded

• Too Round = Resisting Compaction

• Too Angular = Excessive Compaction

SIZE• Very Fine

• Fine

• Medium

DISTRIBUTION• 58 - 75% Overall Sand Content—Depends on “Who” You Are

• 38 - 50% of Total Mix Should Be Medium to Very Coarse Sand

• Coarse

• Very Coarse



COMPOSITION

Silt-to-Clay Ratio (SCR)

IDEAL SCR RANGE

HOW TO FIND

÷



IDEAL SPECIFICATIONSPro

Major /Minor League Ballparks, Division I Colleges/Universities

Water Access

Maintenance

Regular/Daily Limited Volunteer

SAND (overall) 58-62%SAND (medium) 38-45%(of total mix)

SILT & CLAY 38-42%(Combined)

SCR 0.5 – 1.0(Silt ÷ Clay)



IDEAL SPECIFICATIONSIntermediate

Most Colleges/Universities, Some High Schools, Some Complexes

Water Access

Maintenance


SAND (overall) 65-69%SAND (medium) 45-50%(of total mix)





IDEAL SPECIFICATIONSRecreational

Most Schools, Most Parks

Water Access

Maintenance


SAND (overall) 70-75%SAND (medium) >50%(of total mix)





WRITING SPECS

Poor Good Material Description

Quality Assurances

Project Site Conditions

Proper Execution of Installation

Vague Material Description

Lack of Quality Standards

Fuzzy Installation Instructions

Too Short



MANUFACTURE

Harvested Engineered

• Inconsistent

• Fluctuating

• Feeling Lucky?

• Precise

• Controlled

• Replicable



AMENDING INFIELDSTest Analyze Solve

A soil test identifies exact infield composition

Must have a particle size distribution

No More Guessing

Analyzing test reveals strengths and weaknesses

Compare to Ideal Specifications

Classify and Compare

Strategy and action determined by test results

and analysis

Work with What You Have

?YOU

1/3Cost



TEST

Sampling Testing

1. Remove conditioners

2. Collect sample

3. Fill a 1-qt. plastic zip bag

• Many can measure, few can analyze

• Minimum report includes:

% of Sand, Silt & Clay

Distribution of sand sizes

Sand shape

Soil Separate%

Sieve Size/Sand FractionSand Particle Diameter

% Retained

GravelSand Silt Clay

No. 18V. Coarse

1mm

No. 35 Coarse0.5mm

No. 60Medium0.25mm

No. 140 Fine

0.10mm

No. 270V. Fine

0.05mm

.2 80.0 3.7 16.3 1.8 9.3 44.3 23.0 1.5



TEST• Obtain Private Lab Test Report

ANALYZE• Read and Interpret Results

COMPARE• Evaluate against Ideal Specs

SOLVE• Set Objectives and Choose Materials

• Install Materials to meet Objectives

Repeat Cycle Until Test Results Match

Specification

T.A.C.S.



TESTParticle Size Analysis

Soil Separate (%) Sand Particle Size Distribution (%)

Gravel Sand Silt Clay V. Coarse Coarse Medium Fine V. Fine

> 2 mm 0.05 – 1 mm 0.002 – 0.05 mm 0 – 0.002 mm 1 mm 0.5 mm 0.25 mm 0.10 mm 0.05 mm

1.2 47.2 45.4 7.4 2.0 1.8 6.8 20.2 16.3

Typical Soil Analysis Report



ANALYZE: SIZE

Particle Size• Measured in microns

• 1 micron = 0.001 millimeter (mm)

• 1 millimeter (mm) = 1000 microns

.

CLAYSILTSAND

2 01000 50500 250 1002000



ANALYZE: CASE STUDYParticle Size Analysis




1.2 47.2 45.4 7.4 2.0 1.8 6.8 20.2 16.3

Water Access

Maintenance


• High School – Baseball

• Midwest

Who Am I?

Recreational

ISSUES: - Imbalanced Base Soil

- 1.5” Below Grade



Particle Size Analysis




1.2 47.2 45.4 7.4 2.0 1.8 6.8 20.2 16.3

ANALYZE: BEFORE

SAND(overall)

Silt & Clay(combined)

SAND(medium)

47.252.8

10.6

SAND(overall)

70.0 – 75.0

SCR(silt ÷ clay)

0.5 – 1.0

>50SAND(medium)

BEFORE IDEAL

Recreational

Very Low

Very Low

Very High

SAND(very fine)

16.3SCR

(silt ÷ clay)

6.14


25 – 30Very High

COMPARE: BEFORE v. IDEAL



ANALYZE: BEFORE VISUALSand

0.05 – 2mm

47.2

.

V. Coarse Coarse Medium Fine

1 mm 0.50 mm 0.25 mm 0.10 mm

2.0 1.8 6.8 20.2

Silt

0.002 – 0.05 mm

45.4

Clay

0 – 0.002 mm

7.4

V. Fine

0.05 mm

16.3



SOLVE

Two Objectives1. To Balance Base Soil

• Increase Overall Sand

• Increase Medium Sand / Reduce Very Fine Sand

• Increase Clay

• Reduce SCR

2. To Bring Infield to Grade• Add Engineered Infield Mix



SOLVE: IMBALANCED SOIL

Material Engineered Soil

Method 1. APPLIED 22 tons per 10,000 sq.ft.

2. TILLED to 3-inch depth – 3 ways

Amend Base Soil

Component #1

50% USGA Sand- with 75% retained on med. sieve - with < 3% very fine sand

Component #2

50% < 50 micron Silt & Clay

- SCR: 0.85

50/50 Engineered Infield Amendment



SOLVE: BELOW GRADE

Material Engineered Infield Soil - Recreational

Sand (overall) 70-75%

Sand (medium) >50%(of total mix)

Silt & Clay (combined) 25-30%

SCR (silt ÷ clay) 0.5 – 1.0

Method 1. APPLIED as needed to grade – 48 Tons

2. TILLED to depth of 2 inches

3. FINISHED GRADE

Increase Volume



Particle Size Analysis




4.4 72.5 15.0 12.5 8.2 17.0 31.7 11.7 4.0

SAND(overall)


SAND(medium)

72.527.5

56.9

SAND(overall)

70.0 – 75.0

SCR(silt ÷ clay)

0.5 – 1.0

>50SAND(medium)

AFTER IDEAL

Recreational

Match

Match

Slightly High

SAND(very fine)

4.0SCR

(silt ÷ clay)

1.20


25 – 30Match

ANALYZE: AFTERCOMPARE: AFTER v. IDEAL



COMPARE: BEFORE v. AFTER



Sand (overall) + 25.3

Sand (med.) + 46.3

Sand (v. fine) - 12.3

Silt - 30.4

Clay + 5.1

COMPARE: BEFORE v. AFTERBEFORE AFTER

Overall Sand Med. Sand Very Fine Sand

Clay SCR

• Elevated to Grade

REMOVE AND REPLACE = $30,000

AMEND AND ELEVATE = $10,000Job completed in 1 day

SAVINGS = $20,000



TOPDRESSING

Benefits TypesCalcined Clays

Vitrified Clays

Crushed Aggregates

Diatomaceous Earth

Provides interface

Moisture management

Improves playability

Enhances appearance



CALCINED CLAY

Amendment Topdressing Drying Agent

• Montmorillonite clay family

• Clay heated to 1200 – 1400° F

• Absorbs without changing physical characteristics

• Enormous amount of micropores

• Absorbs, holds and slowly releases water

• None



VITRIFIED CLAY


• Natural clays and shales

• Clay heated to 2000° F

• Becomes a porous ceramic material

• Water passes more freely than calcined clay

• Slower absorption than calcined clay

• Avoid on high-sand content infields



CRUSHED AGGREGATE


• Stone or brick

• Ground stone dust or fired brick dust

• Least absorbent

• Should be fine and not jagged



DIATOMACEOUS EARTH


• Organic rock

• Sedimentary rock made of fossilized remains

• Crushed and kiln-fired/calcined

• Most absorbent

• High Silica content can create glare

• Very delicate – breaks down rapidly



COMPARISONAbsorption Displacement

+

-

Diatomaceous Earth

Calcined Clay

Crushed Aggregate

Vitrified Clay

+

-

Diatomaceous Earth

Calcined Clay

Crushed Aggregate

Vitrified Clay



CHOOSING TOPDRESSING

Strategy • Use less absorbent material

Topdressing Calcined Clay Vitrified Clay

Crushed Aggregate Diatomaceous Earth

Note • Blend in calcined clay to increase surface moisture

• High Humidity

• Frequent Rain

• Light Winds

Retain less moisture so surface dries faster



CHOOSING TOPDRESSING

Strategy • Use more absorbent material

Topdressing Calcined Clay Vitrified Clay

Crushed Aggregate Diatomaceous Earth

Note • Blend in vitrified clay or crushed aggregate to reduce moisture retention

• Low Humidity

• Moderate/Constant Winds Retain moisture to reduce displacement



APPLYING TOPDRESSINGAmount • ¼ - ½ inches

• Allow experience and conditions to guide you

• Never exceed ____ bags of drying agent

Methods

Topdresser

Frequency • Nothing is permanent

• Erosion

• Use an indicator

Spreader Shovel



MAINTENANCE

Spiking and DraggingLip MaintenanceGrade

CONDITION OF OutcomeSafety THE INFIELD - stma.org · •Install Materials to meet Objectives Repeat Cycle Until Test Results Match Specification ... Gravel Sand Silt Clay V. Coarse

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