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Title: Soil erosion rates from mixed soil and gravel surfaces in a wind tunnel: A preliminary report

Abstract

Tests of wind erosion were performed in a controlled-environment wind tunnel to support the development of natural-material protective barriers for long-term isolation of radioactive waste. Barrier performance standards currently being developed for internal and external barrier performance are expected to mandate a surface layer that is resistant to wind erosion. The purpose of this study was to initiate a series of tests to determine suitable soil and gravel mixtures for such a barrier and to test worst-case surface layer conditions under the influence of high wind speeds. Six mixed soil and gravel surfaces were prepared, weathered to represent natural wind-blown desert areas, and subjected to controlled wind erosion forces in a wind tunnel. The applied erosive forces, including surface shear forces, were characterized to provide a means of relating wind tunnel results with actual field conditions. Soil particle losses from the surfaces caused by suspension, saltation, and surface creep were monitored by aerosol sample probes and mass balance measurements. 23 refs., 22 figs., 3 tabs.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6631013
Report Number(s):
PNL-6677
ON: DE89004857
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; GROUND COVER; EROSION; HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES; UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL; LABORATORY EQUIPMENT; RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT; SOILS; WIND; WIND TUNNELS; EQUIPMENT; MANAGEMENT; MATERIALS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; TUNNELS; UNDERGROUND FACILITIES; WASTE DISPOSAL; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES; 052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage; 053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Ligotke, M W. Soil erosion rates from mixed soil and gravel surfaces in a wind tunnel: A preliminary report. United States: N. p., 1988. Web. doi:10.2172/6631013.
Ligotke, M W. Soil erosion rates from mixed soil and gravel surfaces in a wind tunnel: A preliminary report. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6631013
Ligotke, M W. 1988. "Soil erosion rates from mixed soil and gravel surfaces in a wind tunnel: A preliminary report". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6631013. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6631013.
@article{osti_6631013,
title = {Soil erosion rates from mixed soil and gravel surfaces in a wind tunnel: A preliminary report},
author = {Ligotke, M W},
abstractNote = {Tests of wind erosion were performed in a controlled-environment wind tunnel to support the development of natural-material protective barriers for long-term isolation of radioactive waste. Barrier performance standards currently being developed for internal and external barrier performance are expected to mandate a surface layer that is resistant to wind erosion. The purpose of this study was to initiate a series of tests to determine suitable soil and gravel mixtures for such a barrier and to test worst-case surface layer conditions under the influence of high wind speeds. Six mixed soil and gravel surfaces were prepared, weathered to represent natural wind-blown desert areas, and subjected to controlled wind erosion forces in a wind tunnel. The applied erosive forces, including surface shear forces, were characterized to provide a means of relating wind tunnel results with actual field conditions. Soil particle losses from the surfaces caused by suspension, saltation, and surface creep were monitored by aerosol sample probes and mass balance measurements. 23 refs., 22 figs., 3 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/6631013},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6631013}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988},
month = {Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988}
}