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.

Progress on research and mitigation of wind-blown sand risk in Dunhuang Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic area,China

The Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Spot in Dunhuang,Northwest China is a world-renowned desert attraction that is also an integral component of the Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark.This scenic area underwent a 30-year transformation,i.e.,from a severe sand risk with spring water threatened by sand burial due to dune deformation,to restoration of the original sand flow field and mitigation of the sand burial problem.The current paper summarizes the research on the intensive monitoring of the dynamic change of star dunes near the spring,observation of wind and sand flow movement,and then restoring the harmonic vibration of the sand particles(singing sand)that were previously silenced.The existing and prospective impacts of anthropogenic and natural forces on the deformation of the sand dunes are investigated by integrated methods,guiding the implementation of mitigating measures with significant ameliorative effects.Contrast to common sand control practices that aim to reduce wind speed and stop blown sands,our research highlights the importance of maintaining the natural wind flow field in stabilizing surrounding dunes.These mitigation measures consist of removing excessive vegetation and newly constructed buildings to recover the original wind flow field and sand transport activity.Such research and mitigation efforts ensure the scientific protection and restoration of the special desert landform,and contribute to the mutual enhancement of the conservation and exploitation of this desert scenic spot and similar sites.

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.

Damage by wind-blown sand and its control measures along the Taklimakan Desert Highway in China

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world,especially in the arid desert regions.Combating desertification,therefore,is an urgent task on a regional or even global scale.The Taklimakan Desert in China is the second largest mobile desert in the world and has been called the''Dead Sea''due to few organisms can exist in such a harsh environment.The Taklimakan Desert Highway,the longest desert highway(a total length of 446 km)across the mobile desert in the world,was built in the 1990s within the Taklimakan Desert.It has an important strategic significance regarding oil and gas resources exploration and plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of southern Xinjiang,China.However,wind-blow sand seriously damages the smoothness of the desert highway and,in this case,mechanical sand control system(including sand barrier fences and straw checkerboards)was used early in the life of the desert highway to protect the road.Unfortunately,more than 70%of the sand barrier fences and straw checkerboards have lost their functions,and the desert highway has often been buried and frequently blocked since 1999.To solve this problem,a long artificial shelterbelt with the length of 437 km was built along the desert highway since 2000.However,some potential problems still exist for the sustainable development of the desert highway,such as water shortage,strong sandstorms,extreme environmental characteristics and large maintenance costs.The study aims to provide an overview of the damages caused by wind-blown sand and the effects of sand control measures along the Taklimakan Desert Highway.Ultimately,we provide some suggestions for the biological sand control system to ensure the sustainable development of the Taklimakan Desert Highway,such as screening drought-resistant species to reduce the irrigation requirement and ensure the sound development of groundwater,screening halophytes to restore vegetation in the case of soil salinization,and planting cash crops,such as Cistanche,Wolfberry,Apocynum and other cash crops to decrease the high cost of maintenance on highways and shelterbelts.

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.

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.

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.

Energy Consumption and Erosion Mechanism of Polyester Fiber Reinforced Cement Composite in Wind-blown Sand Environments

Considering the economic and environmental benefits associated with the recycling of polyester(PET)fibres,it is vital to study the application of fibre-reinforced cement composites.According to the characteristics of the wind-blown sand environment in Inner Mongolia,the erosion resistance of the polyester fibre-reinforced cement composites(PETFRCC)with different PET fibre contents to various erosion angles,velocities and sand particle flows was investigated by the gas-blast method.Based on the actual conditions of sandstorms in Inner Mongolia,the sand erosion parameters required for testing were calculated by the similarity theory.The elastic-plastic model and rigid plastic model of PETFRCC and cement mortar were established,and the energy consumption mechanism of the model under particle impact was analyzed.The experimental results indicate that the microstructure of PETFRCC rafter hydration causes a spring-like buffering effect,and the deformation of PETFRCC under the same impact load is slightly smaller than that of cement mortar,and the damage mechanism of PETFRCC is mainly characterized by fiber deformation and slight brittle spalling of matrix.And under the most unfavorable conditions of the erosion,the erosion rate of 0.5PETFRCC is about 57.69%lower than that of cement mortar,showing better erosion resistance.

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。

风沙地区铁路选线中的主导风向与沙丘移动速度判别方法研究

风沙危害是影响沙区铁路选线设计的重要因素。为解决主导风向和沙丘移动数据获取的技术难题,通过分析沙丘空间形态与风况作用的内在关系,构建新月形沙丘、线性沙丘和金字塔沙丘等不同沙丘区域的主导风向判别方法;结合沙丘形态学参数,利用Google Earth历史影像和GIS空间分析,提出沙丘移动速度的测算模型。以和若铁路沿线区域为研究对象,对该方法进行验证。研究结果表明:基于沙丘形态分析的铁路沿线主导风向识别方法能快速地得到选线范围内的主导风向,判别结果与气象监测数据的误差不超过15°;利用卫星影像和GIS的测量方法可实现沙丘移动速度的计算,沙丘移动数据能对气象站观测的风沙数据进行有效补充,提高了铁路设计中沙害勘察的准确性与效率。研究成果可为风沙地区铁路减灾选线提供一定的技术支撑。

泥沙云团运动特性对初始投放条件的响应研究

基于CFD-DEM耦合方法并依据沙水同轴射流实验建立泥沙云团水下运动模型,研究0.25 mm、0.50 mm和0.75 mm等3种粒径泥沙云团的水下运动特性,以及水沙中心速度对圆形、同轴环形、正方形和三角形等4种形状投放口的响应情况。研究结果表明:抛投泥沙入水后形成的泥沙云团由泥沙相为主的球形前锋和以液相为主的云团尾部组成,触底后云团的几何形态表现为稳态的泥沙射流;云团运动初始阶段水流截面形状与投放口形状保持一致,在沉降过程中逐步扩展并转化为圆形,云团沉降扩散过程中的运动形态与泥沙颗粒的粒径直接相关;投放口形状对云团中心速度的影响范围约为等面积圆形投放口内径的7倍,在此区域内非圆形截面投放口投放的泥沙云团中心速度快,但速度衰减率高。

机制砂风选中砂粒运动轨迹简化计算模型

随着我国建筑行业对机制砂的需求正在不断增长,以及机制砂行业的持续发展,对于提高砂石粒径级配的要求也在随之提高。机制砂在风选中的运动规律的研究,是机制砂风选设备结构设计与风速设计的基础,对提高风选分级效果具有重要的意义。该文以机制砂风选中砂石骨料运动规律为研究对象,通过理论分析对机制砂颗粒在风选中的运动轨迹进行研究,建立砂石颗粒风选运动数学模型,使用Matlab软件对该模型进行计算。结果表明,砂石颗粒粒径、气流速度、风口高度等因素明显影响最终的风选分级效果。

Near-surface sand-dust horizontal flux in Tazhong-the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert

Tazhong is the hinterland and a sandstorm high-frequency area of the Taklimakan Desert. However, little is known about the detailed time-series of aeolian sand transport in this area. An experiment to study the sand-dust horizontal flux of near-surface was carried out in Tazhong from January to December 2009. By measur- ing the sand-dust horizontal flux throughout sixteen sand-dust weather processes with a 200-cm tall Big Spring Number Eight （BSNE） sampler tower, we quantitatively analyzed the vertical variation of the sand-dust horizontal flux. And the total sand-dust horizontal flux of different time-series that passed through a section of 100 cm in width and 200 cm in height was estimated combining the data of saltation movement continuously recorded by piezo- electric saltation sensors （Sensit）. The results indicated that, in the surface layer ranging from 0-200 cm, the inten- sity of sand-dust horizontal flux decreased with the increase of the height, and the physical quantities obeyed power function well. The total sand-dust horizontal flux of the sixteen sand-dust weather processes that passed through a section of 100 cm in width and 200 cm in height was about 2,144.9 kg, the maximum of one sand-dust weather event was about 396.3 kg, and the annual total sand-dust horizontal flux was about 3,903.2 kg. The high levels of aeolian sand transport occurred during daytime, especially from 13：00 to 16：00 in the afternoon. We try to develop a new method for estimation of the detailed time-series of aeolian sand transport.

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.

Effects of different types of guardrails on sand transportation of desert highway pavement

Guardrail,an important highway traffic safety facility,is mainly used to prevent vehicles from accidentally driving off the road and to ensure driving safety.Desert highway guardrails hinder the movement of wind-blown sand,resulting in the decline of sand transportation by the pavement and the deposition of sand gains on the pavement,and endangering traffic safety.To reveal the influence of guardrails on sand transportation of desert highway pavement,we tested the flow field and sand transport volume distribution around the concrete,W-beam,and cable guardrails under different wind velocities through wind tunnel simulation.Wind velocity attenuation coefficients,sand transportation quantity,and sand transportation efficiency are used to measure sand transportation of highway pavement.The results show that the sand transportation of highway pavement was closely related to the zoning characteristics of flow field and variation of wind velocity around the guardrails.The flow field of the concrete guardrail was divided into deceleration,acceleration,and vortex zones.The interaction between the W-beam guardrail and wind-blown sand was similar to that of lower wind deflector.Behind and under the plates,there were the vortex zone and acceleration zone,respectively.The acceleration zone was conducive to transporting sand on the pavement.The cable guardrail only caused wind velocity variability within the height range of guardrail,and there was no sand deposition on the highway pavement.When the cable,W-beam,and concrete guardrails were used,the total transportation quantities on the highway pavement were 423.53,415.74,and 136.53 g/min,respectively,and sand transportation efficiencies were 99.31%,91.25%,and 12.84%,respectively.From the perspective of effective sand transportation on the pavement,the cable guardrail should be preferred as a desert highway guardrail,followed by the W-beam guardrail,and the concrete guardrail is unsuitable.The study results provide theoretical basis for the optimal design of desert highway guardrails and the prevention of wind-blown sand disasters on the highway pavement.

Sediment mathematical model for sand ridges and sand waves

A new theoretical model is formulated to describe internal movement mechanisms of the sand ridges and sand waves based on the momentum equation of a solid-liquid two-phase flow under a shear flow. Coupling this equation with two-dimensional shallow water equations and wave reflection-diffraction equation of mild slope, a two-dimensional coupling model is established and a validation is carried out by observed hydrogeology, tides,waves and sediment. The numerical results are compared with available observations. Satisfactory agreements are achieved. This coupling model is then applied to the Dongfang 1-1 Gas Field area to quantitatively predict the movement and evolution of submarine sand ridges and sand waves. As a result, it is found that the sand ridges and sand waves movement distance increases year by year, but the development trend is stable.

Sand barrier morphological evolution based on time series remote sensing images:a case study of Anhaiao,Pingtan

The morphological evolution of the sand barrier in the Anhaiao coastal zone of Pingtan from 1996 to 2018 was studied.Tidal correction was used to refine the location of the coastline.A standard deviation ellipse method was applied to further analyze the movement of the barrier head with the axis and rotation angle.A natural neighbor interpolation(NNI)method was carried out to calculate the terrain of the intertidal area,and the erosion and deposition characteristics were illustrated based on the terrain.The results showed that the northern part of the sand barrier facing the lagoon area was deposited over the whole studied period,while erosion has always occurred in the southern part of the sand barrier facing the open sea.The erosion and deposition were slightly different on both sides of the barrier head due to hydrodynamic turbulence.The middle sand barrier moved 102.60 m away from its original location in 1996,and the end of the barrier moved 65.45 m.The head of the sand barrier continued moving 379 m to the northwest.Consequently,the preliminary morphological evolution of the sand barrier corresponding to the distance and direction of movement was detected.

陕北风积沙区超长工作面地表移动变形特征研究

为研究风沙地貌超长工作面开采地表移动变形影响,对陕北柠条塔矿S12002工作面进行长期、系统的地表变形监测,研究结果表明:陕北风积沙区超长工作面地表变形具有下沉响应快、边界下沉收敛迅速、地表下沉呈非连续性震荡波动、地表开切眼处损伤严重等特点,其中最大下沉系数0.59,最大下沉量2442.4 mm,最大水平移动值832.3 mm,最大下沉速度354 mm/d,活跃期下沉量占总下沉量96%,该地区具有明显的高强度开采损害特征;下沉系数与工作面地质采矿条件参数存在一定相关性,研究成果丰富了西部风积沙区超长工作面地表变形特征研究数据。

Mechanisms of the formation of wind-blown sand hazards and the sand control measures in Gobi areas under extremely strong winds along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway

The Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway(HSR)traverses areas of the Gobi Desert where extremely strong winds are frequent.These strong winds cause sand/gravel hazards,an unaddressed issue that often seriously compromises the safe operation of the HSR.This paper studies the mechanisms leading to wind-blown sand hazards and the outcomes of sand control projects in these areas.The main findings are as follows:(1)Cold northern airflows over the Tian Shan mountain range are accelerated by the wind tunnels and downslope effect as they pass over complex terrain comprising passes,gullies,and proluvial fans.Consequently,the wind intensity often increases two-to threefold,creating frequent high-speed winds that lead to severe sand damage along the HSR.(2)In the Gobi areas with extremely strong winds,sand grains can be lifted as high as 9 m from the ground into the air,far higher than in other areas of the desert.The sand transport rate decreases exponentially with increasing height.Both wind speed and particle size determine saltation height.Coarser particles and stronger winds provide the particles with a higher kinetic energy as they collide with the ground.In the wind zones of Baili and Yandun,the analysed study areas,the saltation layer height of wind-blown sand/gravel exceeds 3 and 2 m,respectively.(3)Based on the above findings,recently emerging sand control materials,suitable for the areas of interest,were screened and developed.Furthermore,under the proposed principle of‘supplementing blocking with trapping’,a comprehensive sand control measure was established,featuring sandblocking belts comprised of multiple rows,and high,vertical sand-trapping installations with a large grids size.The installed system showed a high efficacy,reducing sand transport rate by 87.87%and significantly decreasing the deposition of sand along a trial section of the HSR.

黄河宁夏永丰渡口连续弯曲河段河床稳定性分析

河流连续弯道是大多数自然河流常见的特征,环流是弯道中最常见的要素之一,环流与纵向水流结合在一起,在弯道横断面内指向凹岸螺旋前进,对河流稳定性产生了复杂影响。因此,为研究连续弯曲河流中环流对河流水动力及泥沙输移的影响,利用声学多普勒剖面仪、激光粒度分布仪、GPS-RTK等实验仪器,对黄河宁夏永丰渡口连续弯曲河道水动力学要素进行了比较分析。结果表明:经长期冲淤,河床断面形式与弯道内环流存在关系,环流会构造河床断面的形状,改变水流主流线的方向,使其发生摆动;在连续弯道内,影响含沙量的主要因素是流速,二者呈正相关关系;相比于直线段,弯曲河道稳定性更差,更易发生河床变形。