Sand Roundness

A description of a sand grain according to how round are its edges and corners. Roundness is typically described as either: 1. Very Angular: These have distinctly sharp edges and sharp corners; being exposed to minimal weathering. These particles can interlock very tightly, providing a very stable which can be suitable for inclusion in sub-bases which require to be well compacted to minimise movement. 2. Angular: These have sharp edges and corners, but less so than very angular particles; being exposed to some weathering. These will have a similar interlocking capability to very angular

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  Sand Shape

This usually refers to the degree of roundness of a sand. Sphericity might be considered a sub-class of shape. The chart given below helps to visualise the different shapes.

  Sand Slit

A narrow channel formed into a turf surface to aid the removal of surface water to sub-surface drains. The slit may be formed by excavating soil and filling with sand or may have sand injected into a channel without soil excavation. The width and depth of a sand slit will vary according to the design specification. A width of up to 50mm might be typical for a sand only slit where the soil is excavated; but 20 to 35mm width where it is injected into the existing soil; this narrower slit is typically called surface banding. Spacings between slits will typically be between 0.25 and 0.5 metres. Sa

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  Sand Soil Class

A soil with a very high percentage of sand, with very few fine particles, makes this type of soil suitable for high specification surface, which may often be 100% sand. An example of a sand soil is one that contains the following: 88% sand, 8% silt, 4% clay. This soil class can bring problems and difficult challenges when trying to maintain them to a very high standard. Sand is prone to drying out very quickly, losing surface stability where vegetation is thin or exposed, is nutrient poor, yet does warm up very quickly in spring. Ideally a small percentage of fines, along with organic matter,

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  Sand Sphericity

A description of a sand grain according to how similar the grain is to a sphere. The nearer a particle is to a perfect sphere then the better the drainage potential and reduced likelihood of compaction due to maintaining a higher air-pore ratio between particles (in theory). This is typically described as either 1. High Sphericity is where the sand grains are very close to a perfect ball (sphere) shape, although the outer surface can range from very smooth like a ball to having irregularities, depending on the category of roundness (very angular to well rounded). 2. Medium Sphericity

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  Sand Top

A layer of sand, which is typically 25mm in depth, but in practice might be from 18mm to 30mm, and which is overlaid on a slit-drained or sand-banded surface. This increases costs but also further reduces chances of waterlogging, surface ponding and occasions when the area, especially sports pitches, are unusable.

  Sand: Benefits of Use

Except for tennis court and cricket square surfaces, which require clay loam soils, sand can provide many benefits in the maintenance of turfgrass surfaces, including: Creating a drier surface;

  Sand: Limitations of Use

Whilst sand use can provide benefits in turf maintenance, there are always limitations which also need to be considered to enable effective decisions to be made on the use of sand. Examples of limitations include:

  Sandy Clay Loam Soil Class

This soil can have a similar ratio of silt and clay particles, yet more sand particles and might be more suited to light usage cricket squares as the soil should be able to be consolidated adequately for play, especially school level play, as well as for many tennis courts. An example of a sandy clay loam soil is one that contains the following: 52% sand, 20% silt, 28% clay. This soil will offer slow, but suitable drainage potential, also making it easier for end of season renovation works. This soil class can be well suited for many lawns of a general quality, although moss can be a problem d

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  Sandy Clay Soil Class

These soils can retain water during the autumn and winter making them difficult to work, especially where rainfall is at fairly frequent intervals. However, where soil structure is very good, along with a suitable fall on the land to aide surface drainage, then these soils can be well suited to general lawns and playing fields, although not sports pitches. It might be a soil that can be used for low level cricket pitch use, especially some schools or some village type cricket, if the native soil is of this type. An example of a sandy clay soil is one that contains the following: 50% sand, 10% silt, 40% clay.