Experimental investigation of the velocity of a sand cloud blowing over a sandy surface

The velocity of a wind-blown sand cloud is important for studying its kinetic energy, related erosion, and control measures. PDA (particle dynamics analyser) measurement technology is used in a wind tunnel to study the probability distribution of particle velocity, variations with height of the mean velocity and particle turbulence in a sand cloud blowing over a sandy surface. The results suggest that the probability distribution of the particle velocity in a blowing sand cloud is stochastic. The probability distribution of the downwind velocity complies with a Gaussian function, while that of the vertical velocity is greatly complicated by grain impact with the bed and particle-particle collisions in the air. The probability distribution of the vertical velocity of fine particles (0.1-0.3 mm sands) can be expressed as a Lorentzian function while that of coarse particles (0.3-0.6 mm sands) cannot be expressed by a simple distribution function. The mean downwind velocity is generally one or two orders greater than the mean vertical velocity, but the particle turbulence in the vertical direction is at least two orders greater than that in the downwind direction. In general, the mean downwind velocity increases with height and free-stream wind velocity, but decreases with grain size. The variation with height of the mean downwind velocity can be expressed by a power function. The particle turbulence of a blowing sand cloud in the downwind direction decreases with height. The variations with height of the mean velocity and particle turbulence in the vertical direction are very complex. It can be concluded that the velocity of a sand cloud blowing over a sandy surface is mainly influenced by wind velocity, grain impact with the bed and particle-particle collisions in the air. Wind velocity is the primary factor influencing the downwind velocity of a blowing sand cloud, while the grain impact with the bed and particle-particle collisions in the air are the primary factors responsible for the vertical velocity. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.