Arid Zone Research ›› 2023, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (10): 1678-1686.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2023.10.14

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influences of railway viaducts on local wind power: A case study of the Shashangou Bridge used by the Dunge Railway

XUE Chengjie1,2,3(),ZHANG Kecun1(),AN Zhishan1,2,ZHANG Hongxue1,2,3,PAN Jiapeng1,2,3   

  1. 1. Dunhuang Gobi Desert Ecology and Environment Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dunhuang 736200, Gansu, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2023-04-01 Revised:2023-05-08 Online:2023-10-15 Published:2023-11-01

Abstract:

The dynamic wind environment characteristics on the east and west sides of the Shashangou Bridge used by the Dunge Railway were investigated using field observations, indoor analysis, and CFD numerical simulations. The results show that the sand-driving winds on the east and west sides of Shashangou Bridge were mainly NW and WNW winds in the spring and summer, and SE and S winds in the autumn and winter. The annual sand transport potential on the west side of Shashangou Bridge is 284.19 VU, which indicates a medium wind energy environment. The sand transport potential was determined to be 27.4 VU, and the sand transport with the wind direction was 124°. The directional variability index is 0.10, which indicates a small ratio and variable wind direction. The sediment transport potential on the east side of Shashangou Bridge is 31.24 VU, indicating a low wind energy environment. The results of the sediment transport potential were 8.97 VU, while the results of the sediment transport wind direction were 91°, and the directional variability index was 0.29, indicating a medium ratio. The average wind speed, frequency of sand-driving wind, sand transport potential, and resultant sand transport potential on the west side of Shashangou Bridge were larger, indicating that the monitoring and control of sand damage on the west side of the bridge should be improved. According to the characteristics of the wind dynamic environment on the west side of the bridge when combined with the flowing dune, the numerical simulation analysis results show that the wind speed in the overhead area and bridge deck is greater than the sand-driving wind speed, and the sand transport capacity was strong, indicating that sand accumulation does not readily occur. However, with the advance of sand dunes, the possibility of sand accumulation at the bottom of the bridge and wind sand on the rail increases.

Key words: Shashangou, wind dynamic environment, sand-driving wind regime, sediment transport potential, numerical simulation