Abstract: As the global focus on sustainable sports infrastructure intensifies, re-evaluating the materials used in artificial turf football fields has become imperative especially infill materials, which significantly influence both athletic performance and structural integrity. Although recycled tire rubber remains a common infill choice due to its durability, it poses substantial environmental and health risks, including elevated carbon emissions, microplastic contamination, and detrimental effects on soil and groundwater. Addressing these concerns, this study explores the economic viability, ecological footprint, athletic performance, and structural resilience of alternative infill options to support more sustainable design practices in sports infrastructure.
A multidisciplinary methodology is adopted, incorporating Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for assessing economic feasibility, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for evaluating environmental impact, and performance testing through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The investigation reveals that alternative infills provide marked improvements over conventional rubber in multiple dimensions. Sand, for instance, cuts operational expenses by 50% and reduces carbon emissions by 90%, emerging as the most environmentally sustainable choice. Cork excels in athletic metrics—lowering injury incidence by 25% and increasing ball velocity by 15% making it an attractive option for modern sporting environments.
The results underscore the necessity for a transition in artificial turf infill selection, balancing environmental responsibility with athletic excellence. The study advocates for enhanced environmental regulations, fiscal incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable materials, and legislative action to decrease reliance on rubber infill. It also stresses the role of educational initiatives aimed at policymakers and sports facility developers. Finally, the study recommends extended longitudinal research to evaluate the performance of these alternatives under diverse climatic conditions, further supporting their global implementation.
Keywords: Sustainability, artificial turf, rubber infill, alternative materials, life cycle assessment, sports performance, economic feasibility, structural stability.
Title: Engineering Evaluation of Sustainable and Environment Friendly Infill Materials Used in Artificial Turf for Football Fields
Author: Talal Abdulaziz Jumah
International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research
ISSN 2348-7607 (Online)
Vol. 13, Issue 1, April 2025 - September 2025
Page No: 49-69
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 11-July-2025
