Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (12): 2154-2165.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.12.16

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles    

Numerical simulation of influence of wing wall type of expressway culvert on transport of wind-blown sand flow in wind-blown sand area

XIA Tian1,2,3(), LI Shengyu1,2,3(), ZHANG Jing1,2,4,5, CUI Kejun1,2,3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3. Mosuowan Desert Research Station, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
    4. Xinjiang Transportation Research Institute Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China
    5. Key Laboratory of Highway Engineering Technology and Transportation Industry in Arid Desert Region, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2024-06-25 Revised:2024-10-05 Online:2024-12-15 Published:2024-12-20
  • Contact: LI Shengyu E-mail:toexv@foxmail.com;lishy_hb@163.com

Abstract:

A culvert is designed to manage water flow beneath an embankment. However, road culverts often encounter issues with sand accumulation, which disrupts flood flow and jeopardizes road safety. To identify wing wall types that reduce sediment accumulation in culverts, three models were developed—one-sided wall, eight-sided wall, and straight wall. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the characteristics of the outflow field and the sediment accumulation processes for each model. The results indicate the following: (1) The structure and velocity of the flow field in the culvert vary significantly based on the wing wall type. In cavities A and B, airflow primarily adheres to the upper wall of the culvert, while in cavity C, the airflow is accelerated. Overall, the velocity in the cavities is ranked as C>B>A. (2) The process of sediment accumulation in the culvert varies significantly based on the wing wall type. Wing walla A and B effectively guide airflow, leading to a high concentration of wind-sand flow within the culvert, making sand accumulation more likely. Conversely, wall C exhibits a weaker diversion ability, accumulating sand primarily at the culvert mouth and shoulder. As incoming wind speed increased, the sand transport capacity of the three culverts improved, with wall C showing the most significant increase, followed by wall B and wall A showing the least. (3) Wind direction also affects sediment accumulation in the culvert. As the oblique angle increased, sediment accumulation in cavities A and C also increased, while sediment accumulation in cavity B decreased. (4) The transport efficiency varies among different wing walls, with sand accumulation in the cavities ranked as A>B>C, while transport efficiency is ranked as C>B>A. Overall, wing wall C was most effective at reducing sand accumulation in the culvert.

Key words: road culvert, flow field distribution, wind-drift sand, numerical simulation