Innovative Design of PLA Sandbag–Fiber Mesh Composite Wind Fences and Synergistic Windbreak Performance

Mengyu Qu, Likun Cai, Jinrong Li, Guodong Ding and Xiaoping Guo ()
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Mengyu Qu: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Likun Cai: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Jinrong Li: Pastoral Water Conservancy Science Research Institute, The Ministry of Water Resources, Hohhot 010020, China
Guodong Ding: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Xiaoping Guo: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: Wind and sand disaster prevention is a critical challenge for global environmental sustainability, with mechanical wind fences being key engineering measures. Current fences, including solid and permeable types, often struggle to balance environmental impact, windbreak efficiency, and stability. Solid fences provide effective sand control but have limited windbreak efficiency, while permeable fences improve airflow but require deep burial and are prone to erosion on uneven terrain. This study proposes a novel composite wind fence with a polylactic acid (PLA) sandbag base and a fiber mesh top, combining stability and permeability. We assessed windbreak performance using computational fluid dynamics simulations and verified results through wind tunnel experiments. Results show that the novel composite wind fence enhances windbreak efficiency and stability by optimizing airflow distribution, with the PLA sandbag base suppressing high–speed airflow and mesh fence weakening of leeward side vortices. Under wind speeds of 10 m/s, 18 m/s, and 28 m/s, the effective protection distance of the novel composite wind fence improved by 22.33% to 36.51%, 10.96% to 34.22%, and 0.94% to 28.98%, respectively, compared to single PLA and mesh wind fence. The optimal row spacing for the novel wind fences in three rows is 12 h when the incoming wind speed is 10 m/s, while the recommended spacings are 8 h and 6 h for wind speeds of 18 m/s and 28 m/s, respectively, ensuring continuous and effective protection. These findings present a novel wind fence technology with improved wind resistance, a more stable structure, and prolonged protective effects, offering an effective solution for environmental conservation initiatives aimed at preventing wind and sand disasters while promoting the sustainability of ecosystems.

Keywords: “PLA sandbag–fiber mesh” composite wind fence; wind prevention performance; numerical simulation; airflow field regulation; sustainable environmental protection (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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