Selection and protection effectiveness of sand control measures for Golmud-Korla Railway in southern Xinjiang's gravel desert area

Based on the characteristics of wind-sand movement in the gravel desert area along the Golmud-Korla Railway, this study employs numerical simulation, wind tunnel and field measurement methods to investigate the wind-sand protection mechanisms and effectiveness of various sand control measures for the Golmud-Korla Railway. Results reveal that wind-sand flow is significantly influenced by sand barrier with notable fluctuations in wind speed observed around these barriers. In the region of 0H to 5H (H is the height of the sand barrier model) downstream the barrier, where turbulent flow disturbances are particularly intense, substantial modifications to the airflow patterns were observed. Among the three types of sand barriers tested, the horizontal wind speed fluctuations on the leeward side of the reed bundle sand barrier are the most pronounced, with the lowest wind speed attenuation coefficient reaching 0.29. Within a specific range of wind speeds, the effective protective width of a sand barrier is negatively correlated with the upstream wind speed. The reed bundle sand barrier demonstrates the largest average protection width, followed by the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) board sand barrier, while the metal mesh sand barrier provides the smallest protection. In the gravel desert area of southern Xinjiang, the sand trapping efficiency of the reed bundle and HDPE board barriers reaches 93.85% and 96.42%, respectively, with annual maximum accumulated sand volume of 3.342 m³/m and 3.73 m³/m. Both barriers demonstrate excellent wind-sand protection effects. From an environmental sustainability and operating lifetime perspective, a three-dimensional wind-sand control system composed of two or three reed bundle sand barriers is recommended for the Golmud-Korla Railway area. This endeavor would provide valuable insights and guidance for wind-sand disaster prevention and control in the gravel desert areas.