Abstract
The paper discusses measures to protect the Mogao Grottoes, northwest China, from the effects of a gobi sand stream. Wind tunnel experiments show that gravel coverage is important for the aerodynamic roughness length when the wind velocity is lower than 10 m/s but decreases with increased wind velocity. When the wind velocity exceeds 10 m/s, the height of the gravel plays the more important role. The gravel both protects the ground surface and assists in arresting shifting sands. 40–60% of gravel coverage can keep the gobi beds in a relatively stable state despite the multi-directional winds. Wind tunnel experiments also show an upwind supply, or no supply of sediment are significant factors in the arrest and transport of sand. A comprehensive protection system, including upright sand-block fences, half-buried straw checkerboard barriers, irrigated sand-fixing plants, gravel mulch, and feather-like diversion works is discussed.
Résumé
L’article discute des mesures à prendre pour protéger les grottes de Mogao au nord-ouest de la Chine contre les effets de vents de sable provenant du Gobi. Des expérimentations en soufflerie montrent qu’une couverture de graviers a une influence importante sur la longueur aérodynamique de rugosité quand la vitesse du vent est inférieure à 10 m s−1 mais que celle-ci décroît quand la vitesse du vent augmente. Quand la vitesse du vent dépasse 10 m s−1, la hauteur des graviers joue le rôle déterminant. Les graviers à la fois protègent la surface du terrain et aident à arrêter les sables en mouvement. Une couverture de gravier de 40 à 60 % permet de garder les lits du Gobi dans un état relativement stable en dépit des vents multidirectionnels. Les expériences en soufflerie montrent aussi que l’existence ou non d’un stock de sédiment dans le sens du vent est un facteur significatif pour arrêter ou transporter le sable. On discute d’un système complet de protection incluant des barrières verticales de blocage du sable, des barrières de paille en damier, semi-enterrées, des plantes irriguées fixatrices de sable, des couvertures de graviers et des travaux de diversion de type plumeaux.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the National Key Project for Basic Research (G2000048705, G2000048702) and the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CACX210093).
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Zhang, W., Wang, T., Wang, W. et al. The gobi sand stream and its control over the top surface of the Mogao Grottoes, China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 63, 261–269 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-004-0239-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-004-0239-4