The blocking effect of the sand fences quantified using wind tunnel simulations

• Published in: Journal of mountain science Vol. 17; no. 10; pp. 2485 - 2496
• Main Authors: Yu, Yan-ping, Zhang, Ke-cun, An, Zhi-shan, Wang, Tao, Hu, Fei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Science Press 01-10-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Disasters; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecology; Efficiency; Environment; Fences; Finite element method; Geography; Height; Porosity; Protection; Sand; Velocity; Wind measurement; Wind speed; Wind tunnel testing; Wind tunnels; Wire cloth; Porous fence; Windproof efficiency; Protection range; Blocking effect; Fence height
• ISSN: 1672-6316; 1993-0321; 1008-2786
• DOI: 10.1007/s11629-020-6095-2

Fences are one of the most effective measures to prevent and control wind-blown sand disasters, and the blocking effect of fences is largely determined by their porosity and height (
H
). This study employed wind tunnel experiments to measure wind velocities on both sides of wire mesh sand fences with porosities of 75%, 63%, 56%, 36% and heights of 10, 5 and 2 cm. The effects of porosity and height on the blocking effect of the fences were evaluated on the basis of velocity variability, flow field, and the wind velocity reduction coefficient. Results show that the smaller the porosity, the stronger the blocking effect. The fence with a porosity of 36% had the strongest windproof efficiency of 0.70 and longest protection range of 9
H
, and thus showed the best applicability in preventing and controlling wind-blown sand disasters. The fence with a porosity of 56% showed a windproof efficiency of 0.31 and a protection range of 7
H
, which could be considered for adoption. However, fences with porosities of 75% and 63% were not recommended to be adopted, because their windproof efficiency and protection range were very small. Overall, the higher the fence, the stronger the blocking effect. The highest fence (10 cm) had the longest protection range of 90 cm, which was the best in application. Nevertheless, the 5 and 2 cm fences were almost consistent with 10 cm fence in windproof efficiency, which was still suitable for wind and sand fixation.