The size of a mock-up section should be determined by the construction details it needs to demonstrate, not simply by a fixed percentage of the total football pitch area. A commonly used starting point is approximately one turf roll width (around 4 m) by 10–20 m in length, giving an indicative area of several dozen to around 100 square metres. However, these dimensions are not universal requirements.
The most important consideration is whether the mock-up includes the critical installation details: seams, edge finishing, drainage direction, and turf fiber orientation. A smaller section that demonstrates these details properly can be more useful than a much larger section containing only flat, uncomplicated areas.
Quick Guide: Five Principles for Planning a Mock-Up Section
Determine the size by construction requirements: Do not rely solely on a percentage of the total field area.
Use one turf roll width as a reference: Approximately 4 m wide and 10–20 m long is a practical starting point for many projects.
Include critical installation details: At least one representative seam, one edge detail, and part of the drainage route.
Choose a challenging location: Consider drainage outlets, low points, slopes, and corners.
Make acceptance practical: Inspect appearance, seams, edge finishing, and drainage performance before approving full-scale installation.
1. A Mock-Up Section Should Verify Construction Quality, Not Just Product Appearance
A mock-up section is a trial installation designed to demonstrate that the proposed materials, installation procedures, and workmanship can meet the project requirements.
It should represent the actual construction conditions as closely as practical.
Verification Objective | What the Mock-Up Should Include | What a Simple Display Sample May Miss |
|---|---|---|
Material consistency | Actual project materials and identifiable production batches | Whether supplied materials match the submitted reports |
Seam construction | At least one representative completed seam | Seam alignment, bonding strength, and surface uniformity |
Drainage route | A section following the actual surface gradient toward a drainage outlet | Whether water moves toward the intended outlet |
Edge finishing | At least one representative boundary or drainage-channel connection | Edge stability and potential soil or debris entry |
Fiber direction | Multiple rolls installed in the intended orientation | Directional differences, shading, and visible color bands |
The purpose of a mock-up is to test the construction process under representative conditions, not simply to display an attractive piece of artificial turf.
2. Recommended Mock-Up Dimensions and Configuration
Configuration | Common Reference | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Width | Approximately one turf roll width, often around 4 m | Demonstrate a realistic roll installation |
Length | Approximately 10–20 m | Provide sufficient space for representative installation details |
Total area | Several dozen to around 100 m² | Allow practical inspection of workmanship |
Number of seams | At least one representative seam | Verify alignment and bonding |
Drainage coverage | At least one section following the actual drainage direction | Evaluate water movement toward the outlet |
Edge finishing | At least one representative edge | Check finishing and connection details |
Note: These are indicative planning dimensions, not mandatory industry-wide standards. Actual dimensions should be agreed upon by the project owner, designer, contractor, and supervisor.
The mock-up should be large enough to demonstrate the installation process without unnecessarily consuming materials and labor.
3. Why Should the Mock-Up Include These Specific Details?
3.1 The Main Purpose Is to Reveal Problems Before Full-Scale Construction
A small, attractive sample installed on a perfectly flat surface may demonstrate the appearance of the artificial turf, but it cannot necessarily prove that the installation method is suitable for the entire football pitch.
The most important construction risks are often concentrated around:
Turf seams
Field boundaries
Drainage channels
Changes in surface direction
Areas with more complicated foundation geometry
A representative mock-up should include these details wherever practical.
3.2 One Turf Roll Width Provides a Practical Construction Reference
Artificial turf is typically delivered in rolls with specified widths and lengths.
Installation involves positioning, cutting, aligning, and joining these rolls. Using approximately one roll width as a mock-up reference helps reproduce realistic installation conditions.
Where the project layout requires multiple adjacent rolls, the mock-up should include enough material to demonstrate the intended seam arrangement and fiber orientation.
It can also help identify differences in appearance between adjacent rolls.
3.3 Drainage Direction Must Be Represented
A mock-up without a representative drainage route cannot fully demonstrate drainage-related workmanship.
The sample section should, where possible, follow the actual surface gradient toward a drainage channel or outlet.
This allows the project team to observe:
Whether water moves in the intended direction
Whether the edge connection is properly finished
Whether water accumulates around local low points
Whether the drainage outlet connection is unobstructed
A simple watering test can provide useful practical evidence, but it should not replace formal permeability testing or other specified drainage acceptance procedures.
3.4 The Mock-Up Should Become the Reference for Full-Scale Construction
Once approved, the mock-up can serve as a physical reference for subsequent installation work.
It should establish agreed expectations for:
Turf appearance and fiber orientation
Seam alignment and finishing
Adhesive application and bonding procedures
Edge construction
Workmanship quality
Inspection and acceptance methods
This makes it easier for supervisors to compare later construction against an agreed standard.
3.5 Avoid Making the Mock-Up Unnecessarily Large
A mock-up is intended to verify construction procedures, not to complete a substantial portion of the project in advance.
An oversized sample may increase material and labor costs without providing additional quality-control value.
The better approach is to establish the smallest practical area that demonstrates all critical construction details. Additional mock-ups can be required where the project contains different foundation types, drainage arrangements, or installation methods.
4. What Should Be Checked During Mock-Up Acceptance?
Inspection Item | Inspection Method | Acceptance Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Seam flatness | Visual inspection, touch, and straightedge where specified | Check seam uniformity and surface transitions |
Fiber direction | Observe the appearance across adjacent rolls | Identify directional inconsistencies |
Edge finishing | Inspect the connection to boundaries and drainage channels | Check edge stability and finishing quality |
Drainage route | Controlled watering test and observation | Verify water movement toward the outlet |
Material batch | Compare product identification with relevant reports | Confirm material traceability |
Installation workmanship | Review installation procedures and construction records | Establish a reproducible construction method |
How Should Defects Be Handled?
If the mock-up reveals uneven seams, poor edge finishing, inconsistent fiber direction, or water accumulation, the contractor should investigate and correct the installation method.
Where necessary, a revised mock-up should be completed and accepted before proceeding with full-scale construction.
Do not approve a defective mock-up simply to avoid delaying the project. Reproducing a known defect across the entire football pitch will generally make correction more difficult and expensive.
5. Six Steps for Building and Approving a Mock-Up Section
Step 1: Select a Representative Location
Choose an area that demonstrates realistic construction conditions.
Where possible, prioritize:
A section near a drainage outlet
A low point or drainage-direction transition
A field corner or boundary
An area where multiple turf rolls need to be joined
The easiest location to install is not necessarily the most useful location for quality verification.
Step 2: Prepare the Materials
Use the artificial turf and related system components intended for the actual project.
Record:
Product model
Production batch
Roll identification
Relevant inspection reports
Shock pad model, where applicable
Adhesive and jointing materials
The mock-up should represent the materials that will be used in full-scale construction.
Step 3: Inspect the Foundation Before Installation
Check that the foundation meets the agreed requirements for:
Flatness
Gradient
Stability
Drainage
Surface cleanliness
Moisture conditions where relevant to the installation method
Foundation defects should be corrected before the mock-up is installed.
Step 4: Complete the Mock-Up Using the Actual Installation Method
The contractor should follow the proposed construction procedures, including:
Turf roll positioning
Fiber direction alignment
Cutting and seam preparation
Adhesive application
Joint construction
Edge finishing
The purpose is to verify the actual installation method rather than demonstrate a specially prepared process that will not be used during full-scale construction.
Step 5: Inspect and Test the Completed Section
Carry out the agreed checks for appearance, seams, edges, material identification, and drainage behavior.
Record the results and identify any defects requiring correction.
Step 6: Approve the Mock-Up as the Construction Reference
After formal acceptance, retain the mock-up or its inspection records as the reference for subsequent work.
The approved installation procedures and workmanship requirements should be incorporated into the construction briefing and site inspection process.
6. Five Common Mock-Up Mistakes to Avoid
Common Mistake | Why It Causes Problems | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
Building only a tiny display sample | Critical seams and edge details may be missing | Include representative construction details |
Choosing only the easiest installation location | Difficult construction conditions remain untested | Include challenging but representative areas |
Failing to record material batches | The mock-up may not represent later deliveries | Maintain material identification and traceability |
Skipping the drainage test | Drainage problems may remain undiscovered | Conduct an agreed practical watering test |
Starting full-scale installation despite defects | Known problems may be repeated across the field | Correct the process and obtain approval first |
7. Four Requirements for Effective Mock-Up Acceptance
Before full-scale installation begins, make sure the following items are documented.
1. Written acceptance records
Record inspection items, results, defects, corrective measures, and final approval.
2. Confirmed installation procedures
Document the approved seam construction, edge finishing, adhesive application, and other relevant workmanship details.
3. Material batch traceability
Keep the mock-up material identification and compare it with subsequent deliveries.
4. Drainage inspection evidence
Retain watering-test records, photographs, or videos where appropriate, together with any required formal test results.
8. Choosing a Non-Infill Artificial Turf Manufacturer: Why VivaTurf Is Worth Considering
For projects that require a mock-up before large-scale installation, VivaTurf is one manufacturer worth including in the supplier comparison process.
During mock-up preparation, project owners and contractors can request technical information and support concerning:
Suitable turf roll specifications and installation arrangements
Fiber direction and seam construction
Edge finishing details
Turf and shock pad compatibility
Foundation preparation requirements
Relevant product and batch testing documentation
Installation and maintenance recommendations
VivaTurf can provide technical guidance to help coordinate the artificial turf system with the project conditions and agreed construction procedures.
The most important point is that the mock-up should use the actual materials and installation methods intended for the project. Its approval should be based on measurable requirements and documented inspection results, rather than manufacturer presentation materials or appearance alone.
For many non-infill artificial turf football pitch projects, a mock-up of approximately one turf roll width by 10–20 m is a practical starting point, but the correct size depends on the construction details that need to be verified.
A useful mock-up should include representative seams, edge finishing, fiber orientation, and a drainage route. It should also use traceable project materials and follow the actual installation procedures.
Once approved, the mock-up becomes a practical workmanship reference for full-scale construction. By identifying problems early and documenting the accepted installation method, project owners can reduce rework, improve construction consistency, and make final acceptance more straightforward.