Please wait a minute...
Journal of Arid Land
Journal of Arid Land  2022, Vol. 14 Issue (6): 604-619    DOI: 10.1007/s40333-022-0019-7
Research article     
Sheltering effect of punched steel plate sand fences for controlling blown sand hazards along the Golmud-Korla Railway: Field observation and numerical simulation studies
ZHANG Kai1,2,*(), TIAN Jianjin1, QU Jianjun2, ZHAO Liming1, LI Sheng1
1College of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730000, China
2Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Download: HTML     PDF(3217KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      

Abstract  

Sand fences made of punched steel plate (PSP) have recently been applied to control wind-blown sand in desertified and Gobi areas due to their strong wind resistance and convenient in situ construction. However, few studies have assessed the protective effect of PSP sand fences, especially through field observations. This study analyzes the effects of double-row PSP sand fences on wind and sand resistance using field observations and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation. The results of field observations showed that the average windproof efficiencies of the first-row and second-row sand fences were 79.8% and 70.8%, respectively. Moreover, the average windproof efficiencies of the numerical simulation behind the first-row and second-row sand fences were 89.8% and 81.1%, respectively. The sand-resistance efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences was 65.4%. Sand deposition occurred close to the first-row sand fence; however, there was relatively little sand on the leeward side of the second-row sand fence. The length of sand accumulation near PSP sand fences obtained by numerical simulation was basically consistent with that through field observations, indicating that field observations combined with numerical simulation can provide insight into the complex wind-blown sand field over PSP sand fences. This study indicates that the protection efficiency of the double-row PSP sand fences is sufficient for effective control of sand hazards associated with extremely strong wind in the Gobi areas. The output of this work is expected to improve the future application of PSP sand fences.

Key words： punched steel plate      sheltering effect      field observations      computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation      windproof efficiency     
Received: 09 March 2022      Published: 30 June 2022
Corresponding Authors: * ZHANG Kai (E-mail: zhangkai0212@yeah.net)
Service
E-mail this article
Add to my bookshelf
Add to citation manager
E-mail Alert
RSS
Articles by authors
ZHANG Kai
TIAN Jianjin
QU Jianjun
ZHAO Liming
LI Sheng
Cite this article:

ZHANG Kai, TIAN Jianjin, QU Jianjun, ZHAO Liming, LI Sheng. Sheltering effect of punched steel plate sand fences for controlling blown sand hazards along the Golmud-Korla Railway: Field observation and numerical simulation studies. Journal of Arid Land, 2022, 14(6): 604-619.

URL:

http://jal.xjegi.com/10.1007/s40333-022-0019-7     OR     http://jal.xjegi.com/Y2022/V14/I6/604

Fig. 1 Aeolian environment of study area. (a), annual sand-driving wind rose; (b), monthly frequency of sand-driving wind; (c), annual drift potential. DP, drift potential; RDP, resultant drift potential; VU, vector units; RDD, resultant drift direction.
Fig. 2 Field observation made on double-row PSP sand fences. (a), cross-section diagram of the anemometers; (b), cross-section diagram of the sand traps. PSP, punched steel plate, H, the height of the sand fence, which is 2 m.
Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of the model of computational domain and boundary conditions. H, the height of the sand fence, which is 2 m.
Fig. 4 Simulated mesh and the mesh near the hole of sand fence
Index HX=50 m HX=60 m HX=100 m HX=120 m
ugrid1 (m/s) 6.231 15.326 3.636 6.132
ugrid2 (m/s) 5.672 14.676 3.521 5.643
ugrid3 (m/s) 6.303 15.441 3.754 6.198
p 1.850 2.090 1.110 1.790
$GCI_{21}^{^{\text{fine}}}$(%) 1.21 0.65 2.36 1.42
Table 1 Calculated local order accuracy (p) and fine-grid convergence indices ($GCI_{21}^{^{\text{fine}}}$) for horizontal velocities
Fig. 5 Inlet, approach, and incident flows in empty computational domains. (a), vertical profiles of the turbulent kinetic energy (k); (b), vertical profiles of the specific dissipation rate (ω); (c), vertical profiles of the absolute pressure (p); (d), vertical profiles of the mean wind velocity (u).
Fig. 6 Wind velocity variation around double-row sand fences. X/H is the ratio of the distance in the X direction to H; and VX/VH is ratio of the velocity in the X direction to the velocity of the fence height H.
Fig. 7 (a), sand flux density around the double-row PSP sand fences for a wind velocity of 10.3 m/s; (b), variation of sand flux density along the sand-control system; (c), variation of sand-resistance efficiency along the sand-control system. X/H is the ratio of the distance in the X direction to H.
Fig. 8 (a), Overall diagram of the flow field distribution of the double-row PSP sand fences (Z/H is the ratio of the distance along the Z direction to H); (b), normalized diagram of horizontal velocity distribution diagram of double-row PSP sand fences; (c), horizontal velocity distribution diagram of the double-row PSP sand fences; (d), windproof efficiency of double-row PSP sand fences. X/H is the ratio of the distance in the X direction to H.
Fig. 9 Deposition and erosion around the fence. X/H is the ratio of the distance in the X direction to H. τ, surface shear stress by wind flow; τt, ground shear force.
Fig. 10 Double-row PSP sand fences on study area. (a), first-row sand fence; (b), second-row sand fence.
[1]   Bauer B O, Sherman D J, Wolcott J F. 1992. Sources of uncertainty in shear stress and roughness length estimates derived from velocity profiles. The Professional Geographer, 44(4): 453-464.
doi: 10.1111/j.0033-0124.1992.00453.x
[2]   Blocken B, Stathopoulos T, Carmeliet J. 2007. CFD simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer: wall function problems. Atmospheric Environment, 41(2): 238-252.
doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.08.019
[3]   Bruno L, Fransos D. 2015. Sand transverse dune aerodynamic: 3D coherent flow structures from a computational study. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 147: 291-301
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2015.07.014
[4]   Bruno L, Horvat M, Raffaele L. 2018a. Windblown sand along railway infrastructures: A review of challenges and mitigation measures. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 177: 340-365.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2018.04.021
[5]   Bruno L, Coste N, Fransos D, et al. 2018b. Shield for sand: an innovative barrier for windblown sand mitigation. Recent Patents on Engineering, 12(3): 237-246.
doi: 10.2174/1872212112666180309151818
[6]   Bruno L, Fransos D, Giudice A L. 2018c. Solid barriers for windblown sand mitigation: aerodynamic behavior and conceptual design guidelines. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 173: 79-90.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2017.12.005
[7]   Celik I B, Ghia U, Roache P J, et al. 2008. Procedure for estimation and reporting of uncertainty due to discretization in CFD applications. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 130(7): 078001, doi: 10.1115/1.2960953.
doi: 10.1115/1.2960953
[8]   Fryberger S G. 1979. Dune forms and wind regime. Dune forms and wind regime. In: McKee E D. A Study of Global Sand Seas, USGS Professional Paper 1052. Washington DC: USGS and NASA: 137-169.
[9]   Gares P A, Davidson-Arnott R G D, Bauer B O, et al. 1996. Alongshore variations in aeolian sediment transport: Carrick Finn Strand, Ireland. Journal of Coastal Research, 12: 673-682.
[10]   Gillies J A, Etyemezian V, Nikolich G, et al. 2017. Effectiveness of an array of porous fences to reduce sand flux: Oceano Dunes, Oceano CA. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 168: 247-259.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2017.06.015
[11]   Grafals-Soto R, Nordstrom K. 2009. Sand fences in the coastal zone: intended and unintended effects. Environmental Management, 44: 420-429.
doi: 10.1007/s00267-009-9331-7 pmid: 19629579
[12]   Hagen L J, Skidmore E L, Miller P L, et al. 1981. Simulation of effect of wind barriers on airflow. Transactions of the ASAE, 24: 1002-1008.
doi: 10.13031/2013.34381
[13]   Hewes L. 1981. Early fencing on the western margin of the prairie. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 71(4): 499-527.
doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8306.1981.tb01371.x
[14]   Horvat M, Bruno L, Bruno L,, et al. 2020. Aerodynamic shape optimization of barriers for windblown sand mitigation using CFD analysis. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 197: 104058, doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2020.104058.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2020.104058
[15]   Horvat M, Bruno L, Khris S, et al. 2021. CWE study of wind flow around railways: Effects of embankment and track system on sand sedimentation. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 208: 104476, doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2021.104476.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2021.104476
[16]   Hotta S, Horikawa K. 1991. Function of sand fence placed in front of embankment. Coastal Engineering, 2: 2754-2767.
[17]   Huang N, Gong K, Xu B, et al. 2019. Investigations into the law of sand particle accumulation over railway subgrade with wind-break wall. The European Physical Journal E, 42(11): 145, doi: 10.1140/epje/i2019-11910-0.
doi: 10.1140/epje/i2019-11910-0
[18]   Jackson D W T, Beyers J H M, Lynch K, et al. 2011. Investigation of three-dimensional wind flow behaviour over coastal dune morphology under offshore winds using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and ultrasonic anemometry. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 36(8): 1113-1124.
doi: 10.1002/esp.2139
[19]   Jackson N L, Sherman D J, Hesp P A, et al. 2006. Small-scale spatial variations in aeolian sediment transport on a fine-sand beach. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(12): 379-383.
[20]   Jackson N L, Nordstrom K F. 2011. Aeolian sediment transport and landforms in managed coastal systems: A review. Aeolian Research, 3(2): 181-196.
doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2011.03.011
[21]   Li B L, Sherman D J. 2015. Aerodynamics and morphodynamics of sand fences: A review. Aeolian Research, 17: 33-48.
doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2014.11.005
[22]   Lima I A, Parteli E J R, Shao Y P, et al. 2020. CFD simulation of the wind field over a terrain with sand fences: Critical spacing for the wind shear velocity. Aeolian Research, 43:100574, doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2020.100574.
doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2020.100574
[23]   Liu B L, Qu J J, Zhang W M, et al. 2011. Numerical simulation of wind flow over transverse and pyramid dunes. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 99(8): 879-888.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2011.06.007
[24]   Menter F R, Kuntz M, Langtry R. 2003. Ten years of industrial experience with the SST turbulence model. In: Hanjali C K, Nagano Y, Tummers J. Turbulence Heat and Mass Transfer 4: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, Antalya, Turkey, 12-17.
[25]   Miller D L, Thetford M, Yager L. 2001. Evaluation of sand fence and vegetation for dune building following overwash by Hurricane Opal on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Journal of Coastal Research, 17(4): 936-948.
[26]   Qu J J, Liu X W, Lei J Q, et al. 2001. Simulation experiments on sand-arresting effect of nylon net fence in wind tunnel. Journal of Desert Research, 21(3): 276-280. (in Chinese)
[27]   Raffaele L, Bruno L, Pellerey F, et al. 2016. Windblown sand saltation: a statistical approach to fluid threshold shear velocity. Aeolian Research, 23: 79-91.
doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2016.10.002
[28]   Richards P J, Hoxey R P. 1993. Appropriate boundary conditions for computational wind engineering models using the k-ε turbulence model. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 46-47: 145-153.
doi: 10.1016/0167-6105(93)90124-7
[29]   Santiago J L, Martin F. 2005. Modelling the air flow in symmetric and asymmetric street canyons. International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 25(1-4): 145-154.
doi: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007662
[30]   Sherman D J, Nordstrom K F. 1994. Hazards of wind-blown sand and coastal sand drifts: A review. Journal of Coastal Research, 12: 263-275.
[31]   Snyder M R, Pinet P R. 1981. Dune construction using two multiple sand-fence configurations: implications regarding protection of eastern Long Island’s south shore. Northeastern Geology, 3: 225-229.
[32]   Tan L H, Zhang W M, Bian K, et al. 2016. Numerical simulation of three-dimensional wind flow patterns over a star dune. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 159: 1-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2016.10.005
[33]   Tan L H, An Z S, Zhang K, et al. 2020. Intermittent aeolian saltation over a Gobi surface: threshold, saltation layer height, and high-frequency variability. JGR Earth Surface, 125(1): e2019JF005329, doi: 10.1029/2019JF005329.
doi: 10.1029/2019JF005329
[34]   Tennekes H. 1973. The logarithmic wind profile. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 30(2): 234-238.
doi: 10.1175/1520-0469(1973)030<0234:TLWP>2.0.CO;2
[35]   Vercauteren K C, Lavelle M J, Hygnstrom S. 2006. Fences and deer-damage management: A review of designs and efficacy. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34: 191-200.
doi: 10.2193/0091-7648(2006)34[191:FADMAR]2.0.CO;2
[36]   Wakes S J, Maegli T, Dickinson K J, et al. 2010. Numerical modelling of wind flow over a complex topography. Environmental Model and Software, 25: 237-247.
doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2009.08.003
[37]   Wang T, Qu J J, Ling Y Q, et al. 2018. Shelter effect efficacy of sand fences: A comparison of systems in a wind tunnel. Aeolian Research, 30: 32-40.
doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2017.11.004
[38]   Wang X M, Chen G T, Han Z W, et al. 1999. The benefit of the prevention system along the desert highway in Tarim Basin. Journal of Desert Research, 19(2): 120-127. (in Chinese)
[39]   Wilson J D, Swaters G E, Ustina F. 1990. A perturbation analysis of turbulent flow through a porous barrier. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 116(494): 989-1004.
doi: 10.1002/qj.49711649410
[40]   Wilson J D, Yee E. 2003. Calculation of winds disturbed by an array of fences. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 115: 31-50.
doi: 10.1016/S0168-1923(02)00169-7
[41]   Yang Y, Gu M, Chen S Q, et al. 2009. New inflow boundary conditions for modelling the neutral equilibrium atmospheric boundary layer in computational wind engineering. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 97(2): 88-95.
doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2008.12.001
[42]   Yang Y H, Xue C X, Shi L, et al. 2020. Sand resistance rate of retaining wall along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Journal of Desert Research, 40(1): 173-178. (in Chinese)
[43]   Zhang K, Wang Q C, Yang Z J, et al. 2019a. Research on numerical simulation on wind protection benefits of HDPE panels with high vertical sand barrier in the newly-built Golmud-Korla Railway. Journal of China Railway Society, 41(3): 169-175. (in Chinese)
[44]   Zhang K, Yang Z J, Wang Q C, et al. 2019b. Relationship between porosity and effective protection distance of HDPE board sand barrier on Golmud-Korla Railway. China Railway Science, 40(5): 16-21. (in Chinese)
[45]   Zhang K, Zhao P W, Zhao J C, et al. 2021. Protective effect of multi-row HDPE board sand fences: A wind tunnel study. International Soil and Water Conservation, 9(1): 103-115.
[46]   Zhang N, Kang J H, Lee R J. 2010. Wind tunnel observation on the effect of a porous wind fence on shelter of saltating sand particles. Geomorphology, 120(3-4): 224-232.
doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.032
No related articles found!