Wind Tunnel Experiments of Wind-Sand Environment for Different Width Subgrades

Shengbo Xie, Xian Zhang (), Keying Zhang and Yingjun Pang
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Shengbo Xie: Research Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Xian Zhang: Research Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Keying Zhang: Research Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Yingjun Pang: Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: Sand disasters significantly restrict ecological restoration and the development of sustainable transport infrastructure in desert areas, and the impact of varying subgrade width and roughness caused by different types and uses of routes on the wind-sand environment is still unclear. To address this, four typical subgrade widths were studied, and wind tunnel experiments were carried out using models. Near the ground surface (at heights < 8.3 cm), a 3.5 cm wide subgrade had a greater effect on the windward wind speed compared with three other widths. The distance required for wind speed recovery on the leeward of the 3.5 cm wide subgrade was greater than that for the three other widths. The 3.5 cm wide subgrade had a larger effect range and extent on the leeward wind flow field compared with the three other widths. The distance needed for the leeward wind flow field to recover at the 3.5 cm wide subgrade was also greater than that for the three other widths. The sand transport rates for the 14, 26, and 41 cm wide subgrades were similar and showed a consistent trend. However, the sand transport rate for the 3.5 cm wide subgrade was more variable and was lower than that for the three other widths at near-ground surface heights but higher at intermediate heights. Width has a minor effect on the wind-sand environment around the subgrades compared to roughness. The research findings provide insights into the relationship between the subgrade width, roughness, and wind–sand environment, offering guidance for mitigating sand disasters along transportation routes. It provides theoretical support for optimizing transportation infrastructure design, promoting green and low-carbon construction, and promoting ecological restoration around the routes.

Keywords: subgrade; width; roughness; wind tunnel experiment; sustainable transport infrastructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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