Modeling the effect of saltation on surface layer turbulence

Particle-turbulence interaction has been a research focus in the field of pneumatic transport, especially in aeolian environments. However, knowledge regarding the effect of saltating particles on the turbulence characteristics is very limited. In this article, a process of sand-laden flow from forming sand streamers to stability is investigated via a coupled mathematical model of wind-blown sand that includes the spatiotemporal development. The variations in the turbulence characteristics, such as the mean velocity and turbulence intensity in clean air or sand-laden flow field, are analyzed. The results show that the splash process of sand grains near the wall decrease the wind speed in the saltation layer and destroy the low-speed streaks. Moreover, the profiles of streamwise turbulence intensity exhibit a transition from 'decreasing' to 'increasing' and approximately intersect at an 'intensity focus', which is presented for the first time. Furthermore, it was found that saltating particles could enhance the Reynolds stress. Meanwhile, it was also noticed that the shear stress at the wall surface is greater than the impact threshold and that there is a tendency towards the impact threshold. Therefore, saltation makes the particle Reynolds number of sand-laden flow higher than that under non-saltation conditions, thus changing the particles' effect on the turbulence intensity. Gravity-dominated saltation is probably the most essential difference between wind-blown sand and other traditional two-phase flows. (c) 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.