Enhancing Sports Field Drainage with 3D Technology: McMahons' Approach to Classic Surfaces

Posted By  
06/05/2025
09:50 AM

The 3D technology we use in our sports field construction is quite remarkable. It has allowed our level of sport field drainage to climb even higher. In parts of the field-building process, we will use GPS controlled tractors building the fields to within as little as a few millimetres of a 3D data model. By having such control over the topography of the oral landscape, problems such as water accumulation are significantly reduced. With the water being distributed through such an organized system of drain tiles and pumps, players no longer have to worry about making that sudden risky pivot in 3-inch-deep mud.

The Role of 3D Technology in Field Construction

3D technology allows the sports field surface, and associated drainage, to be physically modelled as discretely as required. Clever graphic designers can model the terrain so that we can easily visualize the engineering solution and not just how pretty the sports field is going to look. Because the real-world model is likely to be more accurate, the resulting sports field will be better, i.e., the field will 'work' for longer.

Alongside our knowledge of hydraulics and soil composition, 3D modelling seems eminently sensible. For example, understanding how water flows allows us to provide exactly the number of drains we think we will need. In the event that a sports field does fail, we can be reasonably sure that the layout of drainage pipework will work as an integral part of the remediation, thus potentially avoiding costly, disruptive repairs.

 

Benefits of Technically Superior Sports Field Design

"Getting your hands on the best drainage system can bring many benefits to a sports field. It means athletes can worry less about puddling or uneven surfaces, and over the long run, you might see fewer injuries at your sports facilities as a result.

But, a reliable drainage system can also lead to the deferral of one cost in particular: the cost to replace an entire sports field. By developing a field with extremely well-engineered water inputs/outputs, you can more quickly and efficiently move water off the playing field and toward a designated runoff area. This means you’re extending the lifespan of the field itself and, thus, not only can you play on that field longer, but also when it comes time to replace your turf... well, theoretically, you should be doing it less often!