Aerodynamic Properties and Shelter Effects of a Concrete Plate-Insert Sand Fence Along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway in Gobi Regions Under Strong Winds

Abstract

The Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway runs through high-wind areas in the Gobi Desert, and disasters arising from the effects of blown sand critically endanger the safety of railway operations. To prevent sand deposition on the rail bed, double rows of sand fences composed of concrete columns and plates are installed on the windward side of the railway line. However, the aerodynamic properties and sheltering effects of these fences remain unclear. In this study, the effects of sand fences on boundary wind patterns and sand transport were investigated in the field and in a wind tunnel. The following results were obtained: 1) The wind velocity was efficiently reduced on the leeward side of the first and second rows of fences by 78% and 87%, respectively. Nevertheless, owing to large openings in the fence, the sand-trapping efficiencies of the first and second rows of fences on the leeward sides were only 72 and 63%, respectively. 2) The effective shelter distance (Ds) of the fence is 10 times the height of the fence; however, the horizontal distance between the two rows of fences is much larger than the Ds of the fence. This allows the wind velocity between the fences to rise above the saltation threshold once again, thereby reducing the overall sheltering effects of the double-row of fences. This study will produce a theoretical reference for improving the design and installation of blown-sand control systems in the strong-wind regions of the Gobi.

Optimization Study on the Design Parameters of Sand Barriers along the Hami-Lop Nor Railway Line

“…The overall climatic characteristics along the Hami-Lop Nor railroad line show very little precipitation and intense evaporation. The number of months with monthly precipitation below 1 mm is 73%, and the number of months with more than Sustainability 2023, 15, 5297 3 of 19 20 mm is 3% in Lop Nor. The average annual precipitation is 29 mm [3].…”

“…Bo et al [19] used a wind tunnel study to conclude that wind speed and sand particle size had no significant effect on the distribution pattern of the falling velocity of sand particles. Wang and Yan used wind tunnel tests to simulate the variation of flow field structure and wind speed for various models [20,21]. Some sand control measures were applied in engineering practice and achieved good results [21].…”

“…As the sand accumulation near the sand barrier measures increases, resulting in the sand barrier measures being gradually buried, the efficacy of the sand barrier is reduced significantly. The surrounding sand accumulation must be removed periodically to maintain effectiveness [20]. The current sand accumulation cleaning is mainly carried out manually or mechanically.…”