Africa
Drainage system and artificial turf
For upgrade of sports facilities at international school in Lusaka
Yunipat Distributors Zambia – distributors for Fibertex geotextiles and Van Dyck Carpet’s Easi-Grass artificial grass – was appointed as project managers for the upgrade of
sports facilities at the Lusaka International Community School in Lusaka. Scope of operations involved the preparation of ground works, construction of the concrete footing
and installation of a drainage system and artificial turf.
T
he upgrade of sports facilities at the Lusaka International
Community School in Lusaka, Zambia has recently
been completed.
Yunipat Distributors Zambia –
distributors for Fibertex geotextiles
and Van Dyck Carpet’s Easi-Grass
artificial grass – was appointed as
project managers for this contract.
Scope of operations involved the
preparation of ground works,
construction of the concrete
footing and installation of a
drainage system and artificial turf.
“These new sports grounds enable
children to be able to play soccer
and hockey on a stable and safe
surface all year round,” says
Patrizio Urzi, managing director,
Yunipat Distributors Zambia. “A
critical part of the project involved
the design and installation of the
drainage system, which maximises
the high flow of water, enabling
immediate use of the pitch
during and after heavy rains. The
drainage system enhances integ-
rity of the structure, significantly
extending its service life.
Herringbone
drainage pipe system
“Construction involved a durable
herringbone
drainage
pipe
system, with Fibertex separa-
tion/filtration geotextile layers
to prevent any potential water-
logging on the pitch and clogging
of the drainage system.”
A
Fibertex
F34
geotextile
nonwoven separation layer was
installed onto the base to stabi-
lise the surface. A herringbone
system of DN160 Drainex perfo-
rated subsoil drainage pipes was
installed over the geotextile and
covered with 25 mm stone aggre-
gate and ≤ 5 mm fine crusher
run to prepare for the top and
final layer. These materials allow
alluvial water to drain through the
stone medium, into the drainpipes
and away from the sports area.
40
Fibertex geotextiles have impor-
tant functions in separation,
filtration, drainage, protection,
reinforcement and stress relieving
in construction and building
works. These permeable mate-
rials are placed between different
layers of the structure to prevent
migration and mingling of mate-
rials, allowing free movement of
water, while preserving the integ-
rity of the adjacent layers. This
increases bearing capacity and
provides long-term stability of the
foundation layers.
Fibertex geotextiles are suitable
for all filtration and drainage
systems, including drainage pipes,
drainage trenches, surface drains
and building drains.
Base and Fibertex herringbone drainage pipe system
Backfilling with stone topped with quarry dust as top and final layer
Artificial turf
Easi-Grass, a high-quality arti-
ficial turf, with durability and
enhanced aesthetics, was selected
as an alternative to natural grass
for this project. Advantages of this
maintenance-free grass include
water and energy savings, as well
as suitability for use in all weather
conditions. Unlike natural grass
which needs time to dry after a
downpour, sporting events can
continue in the rain, with no risk
of damage to the playing surface.
Specialists
from
Yunipat
Distributors, Fibertex and Van
Dyck Carpets, collaborated on
this project to ensure its success.
Infill with silica sand rubber and brushing
Laying of turf glueing of joints and addition of white lines
Yunipat Distributors Zambia, which
has completed similar astro instal-
lations at many sporting facilities in
Zambia, specialises in the supply
and support of a wide range of
products for the construction and
mining sectors. The company also
services the DIY and commercial
markets in Zambia.
SABI | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019
Project completed