Fielding the NEW Swamp

[Frenchie35]

_ What's with the tar stuff they have put on the dirt? _

That's not tar. It's water they put on the field.

[HelmutVII]

It's an asphalt emulsion used to seal the water in the soil cement so it can cure slower. If it dries too fast it won't cure properly and it will become brittle and crack. The emulsion will not be in direct contact with the bottom of the turf.

I am still assuming that there will be a layer of stone then the artificial turf. I noticed that they left a gap between the edge of the concrete and the soil cement. The gap left exposed the edge of the French drain under the concrete rim. The gap will allow for a continuous layer of stone from the rim to the center of the field.

They may also place a geotextile over the soil cement, then the stone.

No matter what, now that the entire field has soil cement they are "out of the weather" and should be good to go to the end of the project.

[BrockMeaux]

It's an asphalt emulsion used to seal the water in the soil cement so it can cure slower. If it dries too fast it won't cure properly and it will become brittle and crack. The emulsion will not be in direct contact with the bottom of the turf.

I am still assuming that there will be a layer of stone then the artificial turf. I noticed that they left a gap between the edge of the concrete and the soil cement. The gap left exposed the edge of the French drain under the concrete rim. The gap will allow for a continuous layer of stone from the rim to the center of the field.

They may also place a geotextile over the soil cement, then the stone.

No matter what, now that the entire field has soil cement they are "out of the weather" and should be good to go to the end of the project.

So, in your opinion, what kind of time frame are we looking at to the completion of the project? Assuming everything moved at a moderate pace. Just wondering...I'm fascinated by what they're doing. High hopes for how it will turn out.

[HelmutVII]

So, in your opinion, what kind of time frame are we looking at to the completion of the project? Assuming everything moved at a moderate pace. Just wondering...I'm fascinated by what they're doing. High hopes for how it will turn out.

I passed by the stadium this evening and saw about a good number of rolls of very wide (about 5 feet) carpet pad. The padding looked like it was at least 1 1/2" thick. So that is a very good thing.

I do know that Drum Corps International has an event scheduled for July 17 at Cajun Field so I would suspect that is a pretty good indication of time. That is five weeks from tomorrow. While five weeks sounds like a long time it will pass sooner than you think.

[NOCajun]

All I know is that the field has to be ready, at the latest, by July 16th, the date of the 2nd Annual "Drums Across Cajun Field", one of Drum Corps International's newest competition shows.

http://www.dci.org/schedule/?week=Week4

[leeman]

_ It's an asphalt emulsion used to seal the water in the soil cement so it can cure slower. If it dries too fast it won't cure properly and it will become brittle and crack. The emulsion will not be in direct contact with the bottom of the turf.

I am still assuming that there will be a layer of stone then the artificial turf. I noticed that they left a gap between the edge of the concrete and the soil cement. The gap left exposed the edge of the French drain under the concrete rim. The gap will allow for a continuous layer of stone from the rim to the center of the field.

They may also place a geotextile over the soil cement, then the stone.

No matter what, now that the entire field has soil cement they are "out of the weather" and should be good to go to the end of the project. _

can you elaborate on the laying of "stone"...Is it like crushed stone to give a solid base? then a pad over that?. thanks.. lee

[Frenchie35]

I would say they have about two weeks of work before they start laying the underlayment and turf. First the gold post has to be set. The stone poured, raked and rolled to the desired level. I would say that this is atleast two weeks of work. The laying of the underlayment and turf and paint will take another two weeks.......I will say the job completion will be around July 10th or 12th........with no rain delayes and the turf contractors are on time and don't have another job set up. This is based on watching the progress on the installation of the turf at McNesse....58 days and a beautiful job I might say.

[HelmutVII]

can you elaborate on the laying of "stone"...Is it like crushed stone to give a solid base? then a pad over that?. thanks.. lee

It is a crushed stone. There are various grades of crushed stone depending on the mixture of sizes of individual stones in the mix. Smaller stones on down to fines gives better compaction when mixed with larger stones. A mix with a predominance of one size stone will not compact very well but will give excellent drainage. I have seen the stockpiles of stone at the stadium and they are opting for drainage.

[HelmutVII]

Looks like they have hauled in some crushed stone this afternoon. They were able to work even after the pretty heavy rain earlier today (6/13). Looks like the beginning of the end now and they just might make for July 16th. Lets hope the installation crew isn't hung up somewhere else.

[HelmutVII]

Lots and lots and lots of crushed stone today (6/14). They have half the field that we can see in the camera covered with it.