The effect of normal stress on rotational traction on artificial turf surfaces

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

The normal stress applied during rotational traction testing greatly affects the traction response of artificial turf surfaces. Previous literature has focussed on surfaces containing styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as a performance infill material. Increased emphasis on sustainability in the artificial turf industry has shifted attention towards organic and non-filled surface systems; yet research surrounding new infill materials and surface systems is lacking. More simplistic test methods may help to understand and characterise the performance properties of new infill materials. Therefore, this study has two aims: investigate the effect of normal stress on rotational traction for a range of different surface systems; and examine the effect of normal stress on the shear strength of infill materials external to a surface system.