Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285667
Title: Portable wind tunnels for field testing of soils and natural surfaces

Author
item Van Pelt, Robert - Scott
item Zobeck, Teddy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2012
Publication Date: 3/6/2013
Citation: Van Pelt, R.S., Zobeck, T.M. 2013. Portable wind tunnels for field testing of soils and natural surfaces. In: Ahmed, N.A., editor. Wind Tunnel Designs and Their Diverse Engineering Applications. Rijeka, Kroatia:InTech. p. 59-74.

Interpretive Summary: Large stationary wind tunnels have been used to test the erodibility of soils and to study in detail the processes controlling erosion rates. These tunnels require the use of disturbed soil samples which may result in parameter estimations that are not consistent with the natural surface. Several researchers in the last few decades have built and used portable wind tunnels that can be taken to and used on natural surfaces. This chapter focuses on this unique class of wind tunnels. We review the history of portable field wind tunnels, their necessary design criteria, and potential uses.

Technical Abstract: Large stationary wind tunnels have been used to test the erodibility of soils and to study in detail the processes controlling erosion rates. These tunnels require the use of disturbed soil samples which may result in parameter estimations that are not consistent with the natural surface. Several researchers in the last few decades have built and used portable wind tunnels that can be taken to and used on natural surfaces. This chapter focuses on this unique class of wind tunnels. We review the history of portable field wind tunnels, their necessary design criteria, and potential uses.