EN 14953:2005 – Surfaces for sport areas – Determination of thickness of unbound mineral surfaces for outdoor sports areas
1 Scope
This European Standard describes two methods for determining the thickness of granular materials within a structure.
The two methods can be used to provide an indication of the thickness of surfacing material, one using a steel tape, the other using a floating disc and a steel tape. Method 1 is applicable to layers within a profile.
Method 2 measures the thickness of a material at the surface.
2 Method 1 – Profile and divider method
2.1 Application
This method is suitable for determining the thickness of granular materials on-site or in the laboratory, provided that a profile can be removed without destroying the structure.
2.2 Principle
A hole is excavated within the structure to reveal a cross-sectional profile of the layers. This enables the thickness of each layer of material to be measured.
2.3 Apparatus
2.3.1 Spade, which cuts cleanly.
2.3.2 Trowel.
2.3.3 Two-in flexible divider.
2.3.4 Steel tape, graduated in millimetres.
2.3.5 1 m straight edge.
2.3.6 Corer, for laboratory analysis.
2.4 Test area
Ensure that the test area is sufficiently moist to enable a clean cut to be made into the structure.
If the thickness of a surface material is to be measured, the surface smoothness, i.e. evenness, shall be within the limits of 2 mm under a 1 m straight edge. If surface evenness is not within these limits, the surface shall be tamped and levelled by luting within a tolerance of 2 mm under a 1 m straight edge.
2.5 Procedure
Create on-site a vertical profile by digging a hole, no less than 300 mm x 300 mm square, to the depth required to reveal the layer or layers to be measured.
For laboratory analysis remove a core no less than 150 mm in diameter with a corer.
From the profile to be measured remove all loose surplus materials to give a smooth even face to the profile.
Insert the flexible divider above and below the layer in the profile of material to be measured (Figure 1).
Remove the divider, measure and record the distance between its two points in millimetres (Figure 2).
2.6 Calculation and expression of results
Express the results in millimetres. If a profile has strata of varying thickness, measure the profile in three locations across its face, one on each side and one in the centre, and calculate the mean value.
2.7 Test report
The test report shall include the following particulars:
a) reference to this European standard, i.e. EN 14953:2005, Method 1;
b) type of material under test;
c) depth of profile excavated;
d) average thickness of layer;
e) condition of the ground at the time of the test;
f) for surfacing materials, smoothness of the material, i.e. its evenness under a 1,0 m straight edge, prior to and after luting and tamping, as appropriate.
EN 14953:2005 – Surfaces for sport areas – Determination of thickness of unbound mineral surfaces for outdoor sports areas