Wind field disturbance induced by tall vertical sand barriers： a wind tunnel simulation

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00110

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 32-41.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00110

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Wind field disturbance induced by tall vertical sand barriers： a wind tunnel simulation

Xixi Ma¹(), Jianhua Xiao²(), Zhengyi Yao², Xian Xue²^,³

^1.School of History，Culture and Tourism，Fuyang Normal University，Fuyang 236037，Anhui，China
^2.State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands /, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources，Chinese Academy of Sciences，Lanzhou 730000，China
^3.Drylands Salinization Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources，Chinese Academy of Sciences，Lanzhou 730000，China

Received:2025-06-09 Revised:2025-07-07 Online:2026-05-20 Published:2026-06-11
Contact: Jianhua Xiao

Abstract

Abstract:

Tall vertical high-density polyethylene （HDPE） sand barrier exhibits excellent mechanical properties and durability， demonstrating significant sand-blocking effectiveness in windbreak and sand-fixation projects. It has become a key protective measure widely adopted in areas severely affected by wind-blown sand， such as desert highways. This study employed wind tunnel simulations using sand samples collected from a severely sand-affected section of the S315 highway in Ejin Banner， Inner Mongolia， to investigate airflow disturbances and windbreak performance of sand barriers under varying combinations of barrier heights and incoming wind speeds. The results revealed that the barriers generated a well-defined three-zone structure（deceleration， acceleration， and deposition）on both the windward and leeward sides， with wind speed reduction being more pronounced on the leeward side. As barrier height increased， both deceleration zones expanded， with the leeward zone consistently broader and exhibiting greater wind attenuation in both rate and magnitude. Notably， the protective influence of the barrier extended to a downwind distance of up to 16 times its height （16H）.

Key words: tall vertical high-density polyethylene （HDPE） sand barrier, wind tunnel experiments, wind field disturbance, windbreak efficiency

CLC Number:

Xixi Ma, Jianhua Xiao, Zhengyi Yao, Xian Xue. Wind field disturbance induced by tall vertical sand barriers： a wind tunnel simulation[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2026, 46(3): 32-41.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig.1 Typical regimes of air flow near a fence with low porosity［6-8］

Fig.2 Regimes of particle movement near a fence with low porosity［9］

Fig.3 Layout of indoor wind tunnel experiment

Fig.4 Wind speed profiles without fence

Table 1 The linear fit of the height Z with the wind speed UZ without fence

U/(m·s^-1)	Z与U_Z 的线性拟合	R²	Z₀/cm
8	lnZ = 1.2696U_Z - 8.6856	0.9726	0.00017
10	lnZ = 1.0221U_Z - 8.5251	0.9852	0.00020
12	lnZ = 0.8365U_Z - 8.2878	0.9861	0.00025
16	lnZ = 0.6468U_Z - 8.5006	0.9854	0.00020
20	lnZ = 0.5359U_Z - 8.8871	0.9864	0.00014

Fig.5 Flow fields around fences of different heights under under different inflow wind speeds

Fig.6 Wind speed profiles around fences of different heights under wind velocity of 8 m·s-1 and 16 m·s-1

Fig.7 Distribution of flow velocity in horizontal direction of fences different inflow wind speeds

Fig.8 The average reduction coefficient of horizontal wind velocity of different height fences， when the wind speed is 12 m·s-1

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Wind field disturbance induced by tall vertical sand barriers： a wind tunnel simulation

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