Solving the inconvenience of Rain to the outdoor sports courts (Basketball Court)

A geography project done by: Benjamin Lim (1) 2D Ivan tan (26)

As most basket ballers would know, the basketball cour t has only 6 high powered lightings and two long fences to prevent the balls from bouncing onto the road or the 01 spar rack. However, it does not have adequate shelter like a roof from the effects of nature as the courts are outdoors. The drains at the sides of the courts are ineffective as water would not flow into them due to the even surface required for basketball. Thus, water would collect in puddles on the court itself and would take a long time to dry, but it also pose as a health hazard as basketballers may easily slip and fall. Also, faced with another problem of climate change, there isan increase in the intensity of precipitation events, particularly in tropical and high -latitude regions that experience overall increases in precipitation and also an increase in global average annual precipitation during the 21st century, although changes in precipitation will vary from region to region. (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/futurepsc.html)Climate change was identified as another possible factor cau sing freak floods and the heavy downpour happening in Singapore currently. (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/singaporeflooding-is-a-stark-warning/381314)

This poses a problem to the basket ballers and the school on the long run. Firstly, the extreme heat of the afternoon sun would cause the ground to expand and contract quickly when it reaches close to the evening thus the surface would slowly crack and become uneven. This would in turn cost a lot of money to the school as they would have to resurface the entire court if the uneven surface affects the training of the basket ballers.Asphalt breakup. Breakup is the fin al stage in asphalt failure. At this point, water has penetrated and damaged the base, leading the asphalt unsupported. The asphalt then breaks into small, loosefragments. The only solution to crumbling asphalt is removal and replacement.(cited from http://hubpages.com/hub/BASKETBALL-COURTS2) Not only that, the uneven surface would prove to be difficulty in drying because water is collected in shallow pools that may be hard to dry. Trainings have to be postponed as they cannot train on wet grounds (due to the balls incompatibility to the wet surface) and training may have to be postponed, thus their performance might be affected on the long run. An example would be the photo on the next page. This survey show what some of the students opinions are on this topic.
Questions Are you a frequent basket baller? What is the average times per month you want to play basketball but the weather stopped you from doing so (e.g. raining) Is it very irritating for you? How so? Do you think that adding a shelter to the basketball is more convenient? If so, why? Would you like it if there was a retractable shelter? Yes, 25 Mostly is 9 times(12) followed by 8 (8) times then followed by 12 (5) No, 15 Mostly 2s (12) and the rest 3s (3)

Mostly is I wasted time bring the ball to school (17)and the rest is training (8) All were yes. Main reason was that they can play even though its raining and also, some replied that they did not need to dry court or wait for it to dry All were yes. Main reason was that it allows them to play in the sun but also allows them to cover up in case it was too hot and the rest replied it sounds cool

None, no PE lessons so not much inconvenience (all) Yes, mainly is that they would not waste PE lessons due to poor weather Mixtures of yes and no. Yes because it is very convenient. Those that say no because it sound troublesome

This is a pic e of a typical sce e at the bas etball court after it rains In order for their training to continue at all, the bas et ballers have to undertake a tedious task of trying to dry the surface through crude methods like using a mop. However, the

Justification i t e t the t t es esi is that it an e aised t f The level nd and thereafter roviding shade from the searing sun and shelter from the torrential rains. Being able to rise out of level ground, it a llows a flat lear land for students to lay sports on and does not pose any form of obstruction when in its initial position. The plastic covers that cover the underground structure when the main structure is not in use also prevent students form damaging the structure and rain water from seeping into the gaps. Its domed roof enables water to flow down drain off at the drains at either side. Ventilation is good as there are small gaps here and there to allow air in and out. The cost of building the struct ure is not too high as the materials are relatively affordable and easy to find. inally, it is an awesome sight to see a reliable shelter rising out of the ground by itself. The retractable domed roof is made up of heavy duty canvas as it is very durable and can serve dual purposes: to provide cool shade and good shelter, making it perfect for its job. Additionally, it is flexible and can be furled up to be stowed away. The plastic covers are made up of poly methyl methacrylate). This material is commonly used as a substitute for glass and is well suited for its job here as it can withstand scratches and rugged treatment resulting from the sports that take place in the area. urthermore, it is transparent to allow for easy inspection of the underground structures. The plastic sheets that will be unfurled at the sides to prevent rain from blowing in are made of PV as they are durable, allow natural and artificial light to enter to illuminate the courts and are flexible so that they can be furled up when not in use. inally, the guide beams, pillars and other minor structures that are mounted on the beams are made of steel as it is very durable, can take punishment from the weather and is easily obtained. It is also cost effective as PV is around 4 pounds for a m by m square and Poly methyl methacrylate) ,4 /tonne, including shipping and freight. The motors and rotors is around $ , involve cost only around $ which includes installations. How it works irstly, the plastic covers retract by the use of motors. Then, the steel pillars rise out with the use of wheels and motors. After that, the guide beams swing from their initial position along the length of the court) and lock into place along the breath of the court). Bolts slide out and secure the guiding beam in place. Sensors there activate and endorse the carrying out of the next step. Then, the canvas roll sides out from the top of the pillars along the length, left of court). Simultaneously, guiding planks flip out form their initial posi tion to allow the canvas to slide smoothly. Once this is done, the canvas unrolls from one end to the other with the help of guiding planks and the hook at the opposite end secures it in place. Then, the central supporting pole flips up, forming the dome s hape. inally, the motors at either side of the canvas pull the canvas taut, coinciding with the unfurling of the plastic curtains along the 4 sides and from the central supporting pole.

Geography References
1. Singapore Forecast. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/ 8698.html 2. Geography of Singapore. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Singapore 3. Singapore Expats. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.singaporeexpats.com/about-singapore/climate-and-location.htm . Singapore-Climates. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/pageinfo_pays.php3?Pays=SGP& pt=cli mate 5. Local Weather Report for Singapore. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.weathercity.com/sg/singapore/ 6. Singapore Climate Guide to the Average Weather & Temperatures with Graphs Elucidating Sunshine and Rainfall Data & Information about Wind Speeds & Humidity. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.climatetemp.info/singapore/ 7. National Weather Study Project. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://nwsp.ntu.edu.sg/weather/new_portal_intro.htm 8. Weather@SG. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from weather.neaspa.gov.sg/ForecastToday. 9. Arrow Security Shutters. Retrieved July 18, 2011, fromhttp://www.arrowsecurityshutters.co.uk/site/PVC_Strip_Curtains_Price_Li st.html 10. Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Prices and Pricing Information . Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.icis.com/v2/chemicals/90760 8/methylmethacrylate/pricing.html 11. Climate Change- Science. Retrieved July 18, 2011, fromhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/futurepsc.html 12. Singapore Flooding Is a Stark Warning. Retrieved July 18, 2011, fromhttp://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/singapore -flooding-is-a-starkwarning/38131 13. Basketball Courts2.Retrieved July 18, 2011, fromhttp://hubpages.com/hub/BASKETBALL -C URTS2