Effects of wind guide plates on wind velocity acceleration and dune leveling： a case study in Ulan Buh Desert, China

The areas used to be covered by shifting sand dunes have been reclaimed rapidly in recent years. However, it is a challenge to reclaim high sand dunes because it is rather costly to level the high dunes to gentle arable lands. In this study, a wind guide plate was used to change the characteristics of natural wind to level the sand dunes. The use of wind energy could significantly increase the efficiency of dune leveling and decrease the cost. Low wind velocity is a typical characteristic in Ulan Buh Desert of China where the average wind speed is much lower than the threshold velocity for sand movement. The experiment of this study was conducted to accelerate the wind velocity by a wind guide plate to level a sand dune. Results show that the threshold velocity for sand movement is 3.32 m/s at 10 cm above the sand surface in Ulan Buh Desert. A wind guide plate set at an angle less than 50° could significantly increase the wind velocity. The wind velocity could be accelerated up to the threshold velocity for sand movement behind a plate when the plate is at the angles of 20°, 25°, 35° and 40°. The most significant acceleration of wind velocity appears at 1.5 and 3.0 m behind the plate with an angle of 25°. An obvious wind velocity acceleration zone exists behind the wind guide plate when the angles are at 25°, 35°, 40° and 45°, with the most obvious zone under the angle of 45°. The results also show that the total amount of sand transferred over the experimental period increased by 6.1% under the effects of wind guide plates compared to the sand moved without wind guide plates. The results of the study will provide theoretical and practical supports for desert management in sand dune areas.

A 2.5-dimensional Analytical Model of Cold Leveling for Plates with Transverse Wave Defects

Waves occurring in cold-rolled plates or sheets can be divided into longitudinal and transverse waves. Classical leveling theories merely solve the problem of longitudinal waves, while no well accepted method can be employed for transverse waves. In order to investigate the essential deformation law of leveling for plates with transverse waves, a 2.5-dimensional （2.5- D） analytical approach was proposed. In this model, the plate was transversely divided into some strips with equal width; the strips are considered to be in the state of plane strain and each group of adjacent strips are assumed to be deformation compatible under stress. After calculation, the bending deformation of each strip and the leveling effect of overall plate were obtained by comprehensNe consideration of various strips along with the width. Bending of roller is a main approach to eliminate the transverse waves, which is widely accepted by the industry, but the essential effect of bending of roller on the deformation of plates and the calculation of bending of roller are unknown. According to the 2.5-D analytical model, it can be found that, for plates, it is neutral plane offsetting and middle plane elongation or contraction under inner stress that can effectively improve plate shape. Taking double side waves as an example, the appropriate values of bending of roller were obtained by the 2.5-D analytical model related to different initial unevenness, which was applicable to the current on-line adjusting of bending of roller in rolling industry.