Developing a performance infill tracking software to investigate the mechanisms of traction on artificial turf

Engineering of Sport 15 - Proceedings from the 15th International Conference on the Engineering of Sport (ISEA 2024)

Rotational traction testing is specified by sport governing bodies to ensure the safety and performance of artificial turf surfaces. The mechanisms that govern rotational traction have been hypothesised in literature without full experimental evidence, and comprise outsolesurface shear resistance, outsole-surface dynamic friction and resistance to stud displacement. Understanding the mechanics governing traction has proved challenging due to the difficulty of visualising the outsole-surface interaction. The aim of this study was to develop a particle tracking algorithm to analyse the movement of performance infill particles during a rotational traction test.