System for storing water under a sports field

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a system for storing water under a sports field, comprising a substructure and a sport-specific layer on the substructure, wherein the substructure comprises a water-storing layer of stone material. The present invention also relates to a method for installing a water storage under a sports field.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for storing water under a sports field and a method for installing a water storage under a sports field.

[0002] Developments in nature and urbanization have created a need to think about the use of ground and to find solutions for draining water.

[0003] Water is a problem that is being very widely discussed, even at a worldwide level. Water is a particularly important issue for countries lying partially below sea level. In this respect solutions are eagerly being sought for storing and draining water to the surface water in dosed manner so as to thus enable effective control of the level.

[0004] The system according to the invention has for its object to provide such a solution.

[0005] For this purpose the system according to the invention comprises a substructure and a sport-specific layer on the substructure, wherein the substructure comprises a water-storing layer of stone material. These measures make it possible to use the substructure of a sports field, such as an (artificial) turf field, to store water in the hollow spaces between the individual stones of the stone material and to drain it to the surface water in dosed manner. The water-storing layer of stone material moreover has the property that, owing to stationary air in the hollow spaces, it insulates the sport-specific layer well from the ground surface. This makes it possible for instance to apply a less high substructure than would be the case with a substructure without hollow spaces.

[0006] In a further development of the system according to the invention the water-storing layer of stone material is non-bound. This measure makes it possible to install the water-storing layer in simple and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, there is more space for storing water relative to a bound layer owing to the absence of a binder.

[0007] In a further development of the system according to the invention the water-storing layer of stone material has a coarse gradation. This measure makes it possible for the space between the individual stones of the water-storing layer of stone material to be large, so that the water-storing layer can store a large quantity of water.

[0008] In a further development hereof according to the invention, the water-storing layer of stone material has a gradation of substantially 30 mm - 60 mm.

[0009] The choice of the type of stone material influences the stability of the field. A harder type of stone produces a smaller product after crushing, and the manner of breaking gives the product a certain interlock, whereby a more stable whole is obtained. It has been found that broken natural stone is highly suitable.

[0010] In a further development of the system according to the invention the water-storing layer of stone material has a layer thickness in the range of substantially 400 mm up to and including substantially 420 mm.

[0011] An optimal water-storage is obtained when a sufficiently coarse gradation of the stone material is applied. For instance: broken natural stone with a dimension of 30-60 mm and a layer structure of 40 cm produces a hollow space of 40% and thus provides a storage capacity of 160 litres per square metre. On a field of about 8000 m² this results in a storage of 1280 m³ of water.

[0012] In a further development of the system according to the invention the substructure also comprises a levelling layer of material on the water-storing layer of stone material. This measure makes it possible to realize a level playing surface, which is of very great importance when playing sports on a sports field. A layer thickness of the levelling layer of material in the range of substantially 400 mm up to and including substantially 600 mm has been found advantageous.

[0013] In a further development of the system according to the invention, wherein the substructure also comprises a levelling layer of material, the levelling layer of material has a finer gradation than the water-storing layer of stone material.

[0014] In a further development of the system according to the invention, wherein the substructure also comprises a levelling layer of material, the levelling layer of material comprises stone material. In a further development hereof the stone material of the levelling layer is the same as the stone material of the water-storing layer.

[0015] In a further development of the system according to the invention, wherein the substructure also comprises a levelling layer of material, a separating layer is arranged between the water-storing layer of stone material and the levelling layer of material. This measure makes it possible to prevent the material of a fine gradation from the levelling layer of material from entering and clogging the water-storing layer of stone material. The application of a levelling layer of material with a finer gradation is for instance hereby possible without the water-storing properties of the water-storing layer of stone material being affected, for instance by clogging. Alternatively, a material is applied for the levelling layer of material with a gradation such that clogging of the water-storing layer by material from the levelling layer of material is prevented. The individual particles of such a gradation are for instance larger than the spaces between the stones of the water-storing layer of stone material, or have a form which avoids the spaces between the stones of the water-storing layer of stone material becoming clogged. Compared to the alternative of applying a separating layer and material with a finer gradation, this measure will possibly produce a less level surface of the substructure, but makes it possible in return to increase the stability of the surface of the substructure. The material of the levelling layer is after all in direct contact with the stone material of the water-storing layer, and interlocks therewith.

[0016] In a further development of the system according to the invention a separating layer which separates the water-storing layer of stone material from a ground surface is arranged under the water-storing layer of stone material. This separating layer can for instance be a water-permeable fabric if infiltration of water into the ground surface is desirable, or for instance a water-blocking foil if infiltration of water into the ground must be prevented. In the latter case the system is highly suitable for storing water for reuse.

[0017] In a further development of the system according to the invention drainage pipes are arranged in or under the water-storing layer of stone material.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for realizing a water storage under a sports field, comprising the steps of installing a substructure; and arranging a sport-specific layer on the substructure, wherein the installation of the substructure comprises the step of installing a water-storing layer of stone material. In a further development of the method according to the invention the installation of the water-storing layer of stone material comprises the step of non-bound tipping of stone material.

[0019] The present invention is further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying figures. These are non-limitative exemplary embodiments.

[0020] In the figures:

• figure 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the system according to the invention;
• figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 shows system 1 with a substructure 2, on which is arranged a sport-specific layer 3 in the form of artificial turf. The base of substructure 2 is formed by a water-storing layer of stone material 4 with a coarse gradation. The stone material in the water-storing layer of stone material 4 is non-bound. Arranged under the water-storing layer of stone material 4 is a first separating layer 5 which separates the water-storing layer of stone material 4 from ground surface 6. This first separating layer 5 can for instance be a water-permeable fabric if infiltration of water into the ground surface 6 is desired, or for instance a water-blocking foil if infiltration of water into the ground surface 6 must be prevented. A water-permeable levelling layer of material 7 of fine gradation, such as for instance chippings, is shown above the water-storing layer of stone material 4. The levelling layer of material 7 is separated from the water-storing layer of stone material 4 by means of a second separating layer 8. This second separating layer 8 is for instance a foil which allows through water and which prevents the material of fine gradation from the non-bound levelling layer of material 7 from entering and clogging the water-storing layer of stone material 4.

[0022] In the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1 the water-storing layer of stone material 4 is 420 mm, the levelling layer of material 7 is 40 mm and the sport-specific layer 3 is 60 mm.

[0023] In figure 1 drainage pipes 9 are shown in the water-storing layer of stone material 4, these pipes serving for drainage of the water stored in the water-storing layer of stone material 4.

[0024] Drainage pipes 9 can in some cases also be omitted or be arranged under the water-storing layer of stone material 4. In some cases the first separating layer 5 can be omitted. If a material is applied for the levelling layer of material 7 of a gradation such that clogging of the water-storing layer by the levelling layer is prevented, the second separating layer 8 can then be omitted. The material of the levelling layer is then in direct contact with the stone material of the water-storing layer. If drainage tubes 9, first separating layer 5 and second separating layer 8 of the system according to the invention as shown in figure 1 are not applied, this results in the alternative embodiment according to the invention as shown in figure 2. Figure 2 shows that the material of the levelling layer of material 7 has a coarser gradation than the material of the levelling layer of material as shown in figure 1.

Claims

1. System for storing water under a sports field, comprising

- a substructure; and

- a sport-specific layer on the substructure;

wherein the substructure comprises a water-storing layer of stone material.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein

- the water-storing layer of stone material is non-bound.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein

- the water-storing layer of stone material has a coarse gradation.

4. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein

- the water-storing layer of stone material has a gradation of substantially 30 mm - 60 mm.

5. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein

- the water-storing layer of stone material has a layer thickness in the range of substantially 400 mm up to and including substantially 420 mm.

6. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein

- the water-storing layer of stone material comprises broken natural stone.

7. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein

- the substructure also comprises a levelling layer of material on the water-storing layer of stone material.

8. System as claimed in claim 7, wherein

- the levelling layer of material has a finer gradation than the water-storing layer of stone material.

9. System as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein

- the levelling layer of material comprises stone material.

10. System as claimed in claim 9, wherein

- the stone material of the levelling layer is the same as the stone material of the water-storing layer.

11. System as claimed in any of the claims 7-10, wherein

- a separating layer is arranged between the water-storing layer of stone material and the levelling layer of material.

12. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein

- a separating layer which separates the water-storing layer of stone material from a ground surface is arranged under the water-storing layer of stone material.

13. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein

- drainage pipes are arranged in or under the water-storing layer of stone material.

14. Method for realizing a water storage under a sports field, comprising the steps of

- installing a substructure; and

- arranging a sport-specific layer on the substructure;
wherein the installation of the substructure comprises the step of

- installing a water-storing layer of stone material.

15. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein

- the installation of the water-storing layer of stone material comprises the step of non-bound tipping of stone material.

Drawing