Blown sand motion within the sand-control system in the southern section of the Taklimakan Desert Highway

Although scientists have performed many studies in the Taklimakan Desert, few of them have reported the blown sand motion along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert Highway, which differs significantly from the northern region in terms of aeolian sand geomorphology and formation environment. Based on the field ob- servation data of airflow and aeolian sand transport, continuous monitoring data of erosional and depositional processes between 14 April 2009 and 9 April 2011 and data of surface sand grains from the classical section along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert Highway, this paper reported the blown sand motion within the sand-control system of the highway. The main results are as follows： 1） The existing sand-control system is highly effective in preventing and controlling desertification. Wind velocities within the sand-control system were ap- proximately 33%-100% of those for the same height above the mobile sand surface. Aeolian sand fluxes were approximately 0-31.21% of those of the mobile sand surface. Sand grains inside the system, with a mean diameter of 2.89 q）, were finer than those （2.15 q）） outside the system. In addition, wind velocities basically followed a loga- rithmic law, but the airflow along the classical section was mainly determined by topography and vegetation. 2） There were obvious erosional and depositional phenomena above the surface within the sand-control system, and these phenomena have very consistent patterns for all observation points in the two observed years. The total thicknesses of erosion and deposition ranged from 0.30 to 14.60 cm, with a mean value of 3.67 cm. In contrast, the deposition thicknesses were 1.90-22.10 cm, with a mean value of 7.59 cm, and the erosion thicknesses were 3.51-15.10 cm, with a mean value of 8.75 cm. The results will aid our understanding of blown sand within the sand-control system and provide a strong foundation for optimizing the sand-control system.

Influence of Golmud-Lhasa Section of Qinghai-Tibet Railway on Blown Sand Transport

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway(QTR) passes through 281 km of sandy land, 11.07 km of which causes serious sand damage to the railway and thus, the control of blown sand is important for the safe operation of the railway. Construction of the railway and sand prevention system greatly changed the blown sand transport of the primary surface. Effective and feasible sand-control measures include stone checkerboard barriers(SCBs), sand fences(SFs), and gravel coverings. This study simulated the embankments, SCBs and SFs of the QTR in a wind tunnel, and analyzed their respective wind profile, sand deposition, and sand-blocking rate(SBR) in conjunction with field data, aiming at studying the influence of Golmud-Lhasa section of the QTR and sand prevention system on blown sand transport. The results of wind tunnel experiments showed that wind speed increased by 67.7%–77.3% at the upwind shoulder of the embankment and decreased by 50.0%–83.3% at upwind foot of embankment. Wind speed decreased by 50.0%–100.0% after passing through the first SF, and 72.2%–100.0% after the first row of stones within the first SCB grid. In the experiment of sand deposition, the higher the wind speed, the lower the SBR of SCB and SF. From field investigation, the amount of sand blocked by the four SFs decreased exponentially and its SBR was about 50.0%. By contrast, SCB could only block lower amounts of sand, but had a higher SBR(96.7%) than SF. Although, results show that SFs and SCBs along the Golmud-Lhasa section of the QTR provide an obvious sand blocking effect, they lead to the deposition of a large amount of sand, which forms artificial dunes and becomes a new source of sand damage.

Desertification and Blown Sand Disaster in China

Approximately 331 million ha, one-third of China＇s total land, is prone to desertification processes, leading to natural disasters and economic losses. In this study, the situation, tendency, their influences and their risk governance of desertification and blown sand disaster in China were examined using satellite images, field photographs, field data and a literature review. The desiccated areas in Lop Nor and the lower Heihe River fluvial plain covered about 50,000 km2 and 40,000 km2, respectively. In Ejina, about 100 species of vegetation became extinct. The rate of wind erosion in China was between 1,000 tons/km2/year and 2,000 tons/km2/year. There were 12 sand deserts and sandy lands, occupying a total of 710,000 km2. Salinized soils occurred across 99.1 million ha. The two main sand and dust storm-prone areas in China were the Tarim Basin and its surroundings, and the Alxa Plateau and its surroundings. From 1981 to 2007, the annual average frequency of sand and dust storms varied from 1 d to 37 d with a general increase from southeast to northwest. Since 1978, China has implemented a number of ecological construction projects that have reduced desertification from 1999 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2009, and the number of dust and sand storm days from 9.3 d between 1954 and 1959 to 4.4 d between 2000 and 2007. The results could improve understanding of desertification and blown sand disasters in China and provide valuable experiences for global desertification control.

Effect of the W-beam central guardrails on wind-blown sand deposition on desert expressways in sandy regions

Many desert expressways are affected by the deposition of the wind-blown sand,which might block the movement of vehicles or cause accidents.W-beam central guardrails,which are used to improve the safety of desert expressways,are thought to influence the deposition of the wind-blown sand,but this has yet not to be studied adequately.To address this issue,we conducted a wind tunnel test to simulate and explore how the W-beam central guardrails affect the airflow,the wind-blown sand flux and the deposition of the wind-blown sand on desert expressways in sandy regions.The subgrade model is 3.5 cm high and 80.0 cm wide,with a bank slope ratio of 1:3.The W-beam central guardrails model is 3.7 cm high,which included a 1.4-cm-high W-beam and a 2.3-cm-high stand column.The wind velocity was measured by using pitot-static tubes placed at nine different heights(1,2,3,5,7,10,15,30 and 50 cm)above the floor of the chamber.The vertical distribution of the wind-blown sand flux in the wind tunnel was measured by using the sand sampler,which was sectioned into 20 intervals.In addition,we measured the wind-blown sand flux in the field at K50 of the Bachu-Shache desert expressway in the Taklimakan Desert on 11 May 2016,by using a customized 78-cm-high gradient sand sampler for the sand flux structure test.Obstruction by the subgrade leads to the formation of two weak wind zones located at the foot of the windward slope and at the leeward slope of the subgrade,and the wind velocity on the leeward side weakens significantly.The W-beam central guardrails decrease the leeward wind velocity,whereas the velocity increases through the bottom gaps and over the top of the W-beam central guardrails.The vertical distribution of the wind-blown sand flux measured by wind tunnel follows neither a power-law nor an exponential function when affected by either the subgrade or the W-beam central guardrails.At 0.0H and 0.5H(where H=3.5 cm,which is the height of the subgrade),the sand transport is less at the 3 cm height from the subgrade surface than at the 1 and 5 cm heights as a result of obstruction by the W-beam central guardrails,and the maximum sand transportation occurs at the 5 cm height affected by the subgrade surface.The average saltation height in the presence of the W-beam central guardrails is greater than the subgrade height.The field test shows that the sand deposits on the overtaking lane leeward of the W-beam central guardrails and that the thickness of the deposited sand is determined by the difference in the sand mass transported between the inlet and outlet points,which is consistent with the position of the minimum wind velocity in the wind tunnel test.The results of this study could help us to understand the hazards of the wind-blown sand onto subgrade with the W-beam central guardrails.

Experimental analysis of sand particles' lift-off and incident velocities in wind-blown sand flux

The probability distributions of sand particles＇ lift-off and incident velocities in a wind-blown sand flux play very important roles in the simulation of the wind-blown sand movement. In this paper, the vertical and the horizontal speeds of sand particles located at 1.0 mm above a sand-bed in a wind-blown sand flux are observed with the aid of Phase Doppler Anemometry （PDA） in a wind tunnel. Based on the experimental data, the probability distributions of not only the vertical lift-off speed but also the lift-off velocity as well as its horizontal component and the incident velocity as well as its vertical and horizontal components can be obtained by the equal distance histogram method. It is found, according to the results of the X^2-test for these probability distributions, that the probability density functions （pdf＇s） of the sand particles＇ lift-off and incident velocities as well as their vertical com- ponents are described by the Gamma density function with different peak values and shapes and the downwind incident and lift-off horizontal speeds, respectively, can be described by the lognormal and the Gamma density functions, These pdf＇s depend on not only the sand particle diameter but also the wind speed.

Dynamic Characteristics Analysis on Wind-Blown Sand Ground under Dynamic Compaction Vibration

In the 6000 kN·m energy level dynamic compaction on Inner Mongolia wind-blown sand foundation treatment process, the dynamic characteristics and dynamic response are measured. Vibration action time, vibration main frequency, peak acceleration and peak velocity are analyzed. The vibration acting time is very short, the vertical average vibration acting time increases obviously with distance increasing, and the horizontal average vibration time does hardly change. The main frequency of vibration is at 4.60 - 24.90 Hz, which depends on the soil properties and soil layer distribution. The peak acceleration and peak velocity space distribution are similar. The maximum of horizontal acceleration peak is close to vertical velocity peak, and is near to 51 g under rammer. The maximum of horizontal velocity peak is close to vertical velocity peak, and is near to 54 m/s under rammer. The peak acceleration and velocity are rapidly attenuated, but the vertical peak acceleration and peak velocity are slowly attenuated than horizontal direction. The effective treating depth arrives 13 m for wind-blown wind, peak acceleration is 1.8 g or so, and peak velocity is 2.1 m/s or so. Horizontal treating range is 2.6 times of rammer diameter, and vertical treating range is 5.65 times of rammer diameter.

Prevention and management of wind-blown sand damage along Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Cuonahu Lake area

This paper analyzes the characteristics of climate, geology and geomorphology, vegetation, and sand dune distribution in the Cuonahu Lake area beside the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The types and causes of railway blown-sand hazards are discussed, and the effectiveness of various sand-controlling measures is assessed. From the perspective of integrated management, a sand-controlling system that combines several engineering measures, including nylon net sand barriers, concrete sand barriers, movable-board sand barriers, sand interception ditches, gravel/rock cover, film sandbags, and permanent vegetation is most beneficial.

Electromagnetic scattering of charged particles in a strong wind-blown sand electric field

Some field experimental results have shown that the moving sands or dust aerosols in nature are usually electrified,and those charged particles also produce a strong electric field in air, which is named as wind-blown sand electric field.Some scholars have pointed out that the net charge on the particle significantly enhances its electromagnetic(EM) extinction properties, but up to now, there is no conclusive research on the effect of the environmental electric field. Based on the extended Mie theory, the effect of the electric field in a sandstorm on the EM attenuation properties of the charged larger dust particle is studied. The numerical results indicate that the environmental electric field also has a great influence on the particle's optical properties, and the stronger the electric field, the bigger the effect. In addition, the charged angle, the charge density, and the particle radius all have a specific impact on the charged particle's optical properties.

Probability of rebound and eject of sand particles in wind-blown sand movement

When incident particles impact into a sand bed in wind-blown sand movement, rebound of the incident particles and eject of the sand particles by the incident particles affect directly the development of wind sand flux. In order to obtain rebound and eject lift-off probability of the sand particles, we apply the particle-bed stochastic collision model presented in our pervious works to derive analytic solutions of velocities of the incident and impacted particles in the postcollision bed. In order to describe randomness inherent in the real particle-bed collision, we take the incident angle, the impact position and the direction of resultant action of sand particles in sand bed on the impacted sand particle as ran- dom variables, and calculate the rebound and eject velocities, angles and coefficients （ratio of rebound and eject velocity to incident velocity）. Numerical results are found in accordance with current experimental results. The rebound and eject liftoff probabilities versus the incident and creeping velocities are predicted.

Protective benefits of HDPE board sand fences in an environment with variable wind directions on Gobi surfaces:wind tunnel study

The Golmud-Korla Railway in the Gobi area faces operational challenges due to sand hazards,caused by strong and variable winds.This study addresses these challenges by conducting wind tunnel tests to evaluate the protective benefits of High Density Polyethylene(HDPE)board sand fences,focusing on their orientation relative to various wind directions(referred to as'wind angle').This study found that the size of the low-velocity zone on the leeward side of the sand fences(LSF)expanded with an increase in the wind angle(WA).At 1H(the height of the sand fence)and 2H positions on the LSF,the wind speed profiles(WSP)exhibited a segmented logarithmic growth,constrained by Z=H at varying WAs.The efficacy of the sand fence in obstructing airflow escalated as WA increased.The size of the WA has a significant impact on the protective efficiency of HDPE board sand fences.Furthermore,compared to typical sandy surfaces,the rate of sand transport across the Gobi surface diminishes more slowly with height,attributed to the gravel's rebound effect.This phenomenon allows some sand particles to bypass the fences,rendering them less effective at blocking wind and trapping sand than in sandy environments.This paper offers scientific evidence supporting the practical use and enhancement of HDPE board sand fences in varied wind conditions.

Sand harm in Taklimakan Desert highway and sand control

Re puted as a wonderful achievement of the world's highway construction h istory, the Taklimakan Desert highway is now facing serious sand drift encroachment problems due to its 447-km-long passage of sand sea consist ing of crescent dunes, barchan chains, compound transverse dune ridges and co mplex megadunes. To solve some technical problems in the protection of the highway from sand drift encroachment, desert experts have been conductin g the theoretical and applied studies on sand movement laws; causes, severities and time-space differentiation of sand drift damages; and control ways in cluding mechanical, chemical and biological measures. In this paper the authors give an overall summary on the research contents and recent progress i n the control of sand drift damages in China and hold that the theoretica l research results and practices in the prevention of sand drift encr oachment on the cross-desert highway represent a breakthrough and has an epoch-making significance. Since the construction of protective forest along the cross-desert highway requires large amount of ground water, what will be its environmental consequence and whether it can effectiv ely halt sand drift encroachment on the highway forever are the questions to be studied urgently.

Wind tunnel test on the effect of metal net fences on sand flux in a Gobi Desert, China

The Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway runs through an expansive windy area in a Gobi Desert, and sand-blocking fences were built to protect the railway from destruction by wind-blown sand. However, the shielding effect of the sand-blocking fence is below the expectation. In this study, effects of metal net fences with porosities of 0.5 and 0.7 were tested in a wind tunnel to determine the effectiveness of the employed two kinds of fences in reducing wind velocity and restraining wind-blown sand. Specifically, the horizontal wind velocities and sediment flux densities above the gravel surface were measured under different free-stream wind velocities for the following conditions： no fence at all, single fence with a porosity of 0.5, single fence with a porosity of 0.7, double fences with a porosity of 0.5, and double fences with a porosity of 0.7. Experimental results showed that the horizontal wind velocity was more significantly decreased by the fence with a porosity of 0.5, especially for the double fences. The horizontal wind velocity decreased approximately 65% at a distance of 3.25 m（i.e., 13 H, where H denotes the fence height） downwind the double fences, and no reverse flow or vortex was observed on the leeward side. The sediment flux density decreased exponentially with height above the gravel surface downwind in all tested fences. The reduction percentage of total sediment flux density was higher for the fence with a porosity of 0.5 than for the fence with a porosity of 0.7, especially for the double fences. Furthermore, the decreasing percentage of total sediment flux density decreased with increasing free-stream wind velocity. The results suggest that compared with metal net fence with a porosity of 0.7, the metal net fence with a porosity of 0.5 is more effective for controlling wind-blown sand in the expansive windy area where the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway runs through.

乌玛高速公路穿沙试验段风况特征及流场分布规律

为探究乌玛高速公路穿沙段风沙活动规律,明晰道路周围风力环境与积沙形成机理,从而为道路提供科学防沙依据,在腾格里沙漠腹地乌玛高速正线附近修建一条长0.5 km的无防护同向试验段公路,通过现场试验量测并辅以计算流体力学(CFD)数值模拟,在分析风动力环境特征的基础上,对路基周围风沙流场结构及积沙规律进行研究。结果表明:(1)道路区段内风向受季节影响较大,年均起沙风速约为6.26 m/s,主导风向WSW方向,占比11.03%,观测期间风速5 m/s以上起沙日数270 d,占全年日数73%,其中风速大于10.8 m/s的强风天气为47 d,占全年日数13.1%。(2)试验区全年沙物质主要由西向东方向输移,春季和夏季输沙环境最强烈,所测风沙流主方向与道路走向呈52°夹角,道路沿线沙害主要发生在西侧。(3)路基周围风速流场内水平速度呈“M”状变化,最大风速集中在沙丘顶部,当沙丘处于道路迎风侧时,风沙流最易在路基与沙丘交界处形成积沙,且沙丘会沿主风向移动掩埋路基;当沙丘处于道路背风侧时,路基背风侧积沙较明显,受多风向影响,路基表面也存在少量积沙,模拟结果与现场观测具有较好的一致性。强劲的风力环境和丰富的沙源是乌玛高速沙害形成的天然条件,防沙工程应着重对沿线西侧设置,增大地表粗糙度控制沙丘流动,进而降低风沙活动对公路危害。

乌兰布和荒漠绿洲风沙特性及防护林防护效应

农田防护林在保持水土及土壤风蚀防控方面发挥着重要作用。为了探究真实大气环境下绿洲防护林体系的防风阻沙效益,以乌兰布和荒漠绿洲防护林为研究对象,利用位于荒漠绿洲过渡带和绿洲的近地面沙尘观测塔监测的2019—2020年不同高度处的风速、风向和沙尘数据,分析荒漠绿洲过渡带和绿洲的风沙分布统计特性。结果表明:荒漠绿洲过渡带和绿洲主导风向为东北和西南方向,2区域内平均风速均随观测高度增加逐渐增大;从荒漠绿洲过渡带至绿洲,受防护林体系的影响,平均风速整体减弱,≥4~8 m/s的中风速和≥8 m/s的高风速样本比例平均减少约8.8%和7.8%;荒漠绿洲过渡带和绿洲月最大平均风速多出现在夏秋2季以及春季末,且月最大平均风速与平均风速均值呈线性关系;2区域沙通量随着高度的增加逐渐减少,受防护林带影响同观测高度水平沙通量和垂直沙通量分别减少65%和36%;输沙方向整体朝东和东南偏东方向,该方向在绿洲受观测高度影响较小,在荒漠绿洲过渡带不同高度输沙方向会产生差异,输沙势从荒漠绿洲过渡带至绿洲总体降低。防护林体系对区域范围内的风沙活动影响明显,能够减轻风蚀所带来的水土流失,对绿洲可持续发展具有重要价值。

风沙环境下光伏板表面积尘仿真及其透光率研究

通过流体动力学仿真方法,研究了风沙环境下不同倾角光伏电池板表面的积尘问题,基于此讨论了不同安装倾角光伏板透光率的衰减程度.结果表明,光伏板表面沙尘沉积量随着空气中沙尘体积分数和粒径的增大指数增加;随着光伏板安装倾角的增加,沙尘沉积量先上升后下降,在倾角为50°时板上沉积量达到最大,积尘光伏板的透光率呈现相似的变化规律.本文结果对于荒漠化地区光伏电站的建设及其安全运行具有重要参考价值.

含沙量对地面光伏阵列的气动载荷研究

沙粒体积分数是风沙环境中影响光伏板及其承载结构使用寿命的重要因素之一,光伏板表面压力和倾覆力矩预测对光伏阵列的安装与设计,以及挡风沙结构的设计都有十分重要的意义。以安装倾角为25°,4×4方阵形式的光伏阵列为研究对象,采用欧拉双流体模型探究不同浓度对光伏板表面及其周围流场结构和倾覆力矩的影响规律。结果表明,不同沙粒浓度下,光伏板上表面的风沙压力变化分布情况基本相同,而随着入口处沙粒体积分数的增大,光伏板上表面同一区域的风沙压力不断增大。除第二排光伏板,其余光伏板倾覆力矩随入口处沙粒体积分数增大而增大,且第一排倾覆力矩最大。研究工作可为荒漠地区光伏阵列的设计和安装提供一定的理论依据。

河西走廊绿洲外缘典型风沙防护体系的功能稳定性评估

【目的】评估中国北方防沙带核心区域——河西走廊各绿洲外缘风沙防护体系的功能稳定性,为优化防护林体系提供参考。【方法】基于风沙综合防护体系功能稳定性的定义和判据,建立河西走廊绿洲外缘风沙防护体系功能稳定性的定性评估与检验方法。【结果】河西走廊东部石羊河流域和中部黑河流域存在一些稳态和非稳态的风沙综合防护体系,西部疏勒河流域风沙综合防护体系则以亚稳态为主。【结论】河西走廊绿洲外缘东部和中部各风沙防护体系的功能稳定性差异较大,而西部地区风沙防护体系的功能稳定性差异较小。在风季前、后,稳态防护体系基本保持稳定,而亚稳态和非稳态体系不稳定。

陕西榆林毛乌素沙漠南缘风积沙的湿陷规律及其影响因素

随着中国干旱、半干旱地区的开发与发展,湿陷性沙土对工程建设的危害日益显著。为探明沙土的湿陷规律及其影响因素,文章以毛乌素沙漠南缘风积沙土为研究对象,首先,通过控制单因素室内压缩试验,研究不同工况下风积沙的湿陷规律;其次,采用PFC3D(三维颗粒流软件)对风积沙土室内压缩试验进行数值模拟,探究不同孔隙率、不同颗粒组成对沙土湿陷性的影响。研究结果表明:沙土湿陷系数随压力呈先升后降的变化趋势,压力为150 kPa时取得湿陷系数最大值;随着干密度或含水率的增大,沙土湿陷系数减小。相较于含水率,干密度对沙土湿陷性的影响更大;风积沙土的湿陷系数与孔隙率之间呈正相关关系,毛乌素沙漠南缘风积沙土的湿陷起始孔隙率为0.425;当0.075~0.25 mm、0.25~0.5 mm两粒组颗粒含量之比为0.35∶0.65时,沙土湿陷性最大。研究结果较全面地描述了沙土室内压缩试验从宏观到微观的全过程,从多尺度揭示了沙土湿陷性的湿陷规律及其影响因素,可为毛乌素沙漠地区工程建设提供参考,同时为沙土在颗粒流数值模拟方面的研究提供了一定的思路和依据。

和田-若羌铁路“七带一体”综合防沙技术

和田—若羌铁路(和若铁路)位于世界第二大流动沙漠塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘,剧烈的风沙活动对其中409.19 km线路的运营安全造成重大威胁,因此风沙治理成为和若铁路成功建设和安全运营的关键。该文首先调查和归纳和若铁路沿线的风沙危害现状,随后对铁路建设过程中摸索总结的“七带一体”的综合防沙技术进行介绍,实现建设期沙害不上道的目标,目前植物综合成活率达到85%以上,植株平距高度在1.0~1.5 m,为和若铁路的安全运营保驾护航。相关工作和成果能够指导类似工程的设计、施工及管理,为国家在项目审批中的决策提供依据。

风沙危害防治的主要工程措施及其机理

对风沙危害防治的主要工程措施及其物理机理进行了深入研究,从理论上得出格状沙障内最大风蚀深度与方格边长之间的解析关系,利用流体力学理论计算了不同草头高度h0所对应的最大间距Lmax,得出格状沙障中心沙粒的起动风速随沙障规格和深宽比h/L的增加而减小,建立了栅栏下风侧风速为来流风速的百分率与栅栏下风向距离的关系,并对不同孔隙度尼纶网栅栏的风沙阻导效应、直立植物及戈壁砾石覆盖防沙措施的粗糙特征、化学工程固沙措施等进行了广泛研究。通过对已有研究成果的综合评述,剖析了风沙工程学面临的主要问题与任务,指出与生态环境治理、资源开发及可持续发展问题紧密结合,是风沙危害防治研究发展的方向,并亟待加强与生态环境恢复—资源高效开发一体化的风沙危害防治措施的理论研究与技术示范。