Numerical simulation on flow field, wind erosion and sand sedimentation patterns over railway subgrades

The railway subgrades in the sandy areas act as an obstacle interfering wind-blown sand, causing sand erosion and sedimentation, which can disrupt the safe and stable operation of the railway system. Most previous studies mainly focus on the flow field around railway subgrades, however, the real erosion and sedimentation patterns are rarely studied. This study aims to analyze the erosion and sand sedimentation patterns of wind-blown sand over the subgrades with different heights and steel rails using the ratio of the wall shear stress to the critical value of erosion shear stress. Results show that wind erosion near the top of the upwind slope of the embankment and the shoulder on the upwind side are more severe, and the severity increases with an increase in the height of the embankment. With the increase of wind velocity, sand sedimentation both on the windward and leeside of the subgrade decreases and wind erosion by reverse flow occur. This study indicates that railways in sandy areas should be constructed with a moderate subgrade height (4 m).