Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
(OP)
Hello all - I'm a long time Track & Field coach in the South that also happens to be a structural engineer. Let me give you a little background before I pose a question:
The school where I coach recently had "field turf" (i.e. - the nice, new artificial turf where about 2 1/2" of rubber pellets are dumped into artificial grass blades) installed in the stadium which is also where the track is located. It's a typical set-up with the football/soccer field inside a Track. As part of the process, the "D" zones where completely asphalted. Of course the current track is also a black, synthetic rubber surface. So now, we have a big heat sink! The before/after field turf heat retention difference is noticably greater.
We now need to resurface the track which leads to my question:
Most high school rubberized tracks are some sort of recycled rubber pellets held together with a binder and ultimately coated with a chemical to provide some UV protection. These surfaces are black. Some manufacturers offer colored surfaces. When I say "colored," I'm referring to a truly colored surface where each epdm rubber module is coated - instead of just painting the surface. The true colored surfaces are significantly more expensive. Will choosing a light color have a significant impact on heat retention? We're hoping to retain less heat.
Thanks in advance!
The school where I coach recently had "field turf" (i.e. - the nice, new artificial turf where about 2 1/2" of rubber pellets are dumped into artificial grass blades) installed in the stadium which is also where the track is located. It's a typical set-up with the football/soccer field inside a Track. As part of the process, the "D" zones where completely asphalted. Of course the current track is also a black, synthetic rubber surface. So now, we have a big heat sink! The before/after field turf heat retention difference is noticably greater.
We now need to resurface the track which leads to my question:
Most high school rubberized tracks are some sort of recycled rubber pellets held together with a binder and ultimately coated with a chemical to provide some UV protection. These surfaces are black. Some manufacturers offer colored surfaces. When I say "colored," I'm referring to a truly colored surface where each epdm rubber module is coated - instead of just painting the surface. The true colored surfaces are significantly more expensive. Will choosing a light color have a significant impact on heat retention? We're hoping to retain less heat.
Thanks in advance!





RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
When turf is installed, lots of the subgrade is removed because a big crown isn't necessary. Then drains lines are installed then 6-12" of stone is placed, laser screeded, and compacted. The turf then rolls out over the compacted stone and the rubber pellets are "swept" into the turf. It's amazing stuff - much, much better than old style carpet turf.
The track has always been there. It's always been black - asphalt with a low end synthetic surface, also black, on top. But the end zones were paved (black asphalt) as part of this project. The idea is that ultimately virtually no maintenance is required with the field area of the stadium. This is going to become very common for land-locked high schools without many practice fields.
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
Real grass pumps a lot of moisture into the air via transpiration, using up a bunch of heat raising the latent energy of this water. Turf doesn't.
Back when I ran track the track was made from cinders.
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
RE: Heat Retention of Rubberized (Plexipave) Track surface
MintJulep is right about the natural to artificial change....that's the most significant.
If you currently have stripes on your track, check the surface temperature difference between the track and the stripes....you'll get your answer. If you know anyone with an infrared thermographic scanner, that will show it up very readily.
As for changing the color, you can use a white silicone coating, spray applied. DowCorning has good ones. Check compatibility with your crumb composite. Note that a coating will affect your surface drainage, as you currently have some pervious texture that will be lost when coated.