Study on resistance of wind/sand erosion based on a solidifying composite material of hydrophilic polyurethane

A novel solidifying composite material based on hydrophilic polyurethane (abbreviated as W-OH) is used as a sustainable sand-fixing material. The objective of this study was to investigate the actual function of desertification control using W-OH to fix sand from the Qinghai Lake basin. In the first experiment, the effects of sand fixing and resistance of wind/sand erosion were studied by wind tunnel testing. The wind/sand erosion modulus was measured and studied by setting the wind-sand flow velocity to 10m/s, 15m/s, 20m/s or 25m/s and the direction to 0°, 30° or 60°, respectively. A field demonstration was constructed in the Qinghai Lake basin to investigate the actual effects on sand fixation outdoors. The results of wind tunnel testing showed that W-OH can well fix the sand of the Qinghai Lake basin. The sand-fixing layer formed by a W-OH concentration of 3% remained intact under the action of a 25-m/s wind and sand flow. W-OH concentrations of 4% and 5% showed excellent resistance to wind/sand erosion. In the demonstration, the area without W-OH treatment had an amount of 15g/m2/h of windblown sand on average, and the area tacked with a W-OH concentration of 2% showed a reduced amount of windblown sand. However, the area was still seriously damaged by wind/sand erosion. The area treated with a W-OH concentration of 3% showed good resistance to wind/sand erosion without any damage during a 49-day test. © 2011 The Society of Materials Science, Japan.