Artificial Turf Football Field Foundation and Drainage Systems Design

As artificial turf football fields become increasingly popular across schools, communities, and professional venues, the design and construction of the foundation and drainage system play a crucial role in ensuring field performance, safety, and durability.

This article outlines the essential steps and technical details for field base and drainage construction, supported by real-world site practices.

1. Removing the Existing Surface

The first step is to completely remove any existing natural grass, turf, or sub-base materials. This process clears the way for accurate elevation measurements and ensures a clean, stable surface for reconstruction.

2. Elevation Measurement and Ground Leveling

Before further construction, it is critical to conduct elevation surveying across the entire site using leveling tools.

Based on the data:

Low-lying areas should be filled and compacted.

High spots should be cut and leveled.

This creates a stable, even surface and allows for the design of a proper drainage slope — typically higher in the center and lower toward the edges.

3. Excavating and Building the Drainage Channels

Next, drainage trenches are excavated based on the design drawings. The process includes:

*Pouring cement into the trench to form the base;

* Constructing brick walls on both sides of the channel. Wall thickness and height can vary according to the engineering plan (e.g., 20 cm thick, 55 cm high).

Note: It is important to pre-install perforated drain pipes along the field edges to enhance water collection efficiency.

Drainage Trench Excavation

Brick Wall

Football Filed Drainage Trench

Blind Pipe Around the Football Field

4. Constructing the Layered Foundation

Once the drainage channels are complete, the foundation base construction begins. This multi-layered system typically includes:

Layer 1. Compacted natural soil (subgrade)

Layer 2. Crushed stone layer for stability and drainage

Layer 3. Stabilized layer, compacted to increase density

Layer4. Concrete layer, poured and leveled

Compact the soil

Lay the crush stone

Apply the stabilized layer

Pour the concrete

Level the surface

Each layer’s thickness should follow the detailed construction drawings. The final concrete surface must be finished with a proper slope —higher in the center, lower around the perimeter — to facilitate rainwater drainage.

5. Curing: A Critical 21-Day Step

After pouring the concrete surface, the base must be **cured for at least 21 days**. This allows the concrete to gain sufficient strength and ensures long-term durability. During this period, the surface should be protected from heavy sunlight, heavy rain, or foot traffic.

A finish football field concret base

Conclusion

A high-performance football field doesn’t start with turf — it starts with a well-built foundation and a smart drainage system.

From precise elevation work to professional-grade channel and base construction, every detail matters. Proper execution not only enhances field performance but also extends service life and reduces maintenance costs.

For further technical details or sample construction drawings, feel free to contact our team. Let’s build better fields, together.