Wind velocity patterns as modified by plastic pipe windbarriers

J. D. Bilbro; J. E. Stout

ABSTRACT:

Windbarriers can reduce the damaging effects of wind erosion. Therefore, to obtain information that would facilitate the design of more efficient windbarriers, wind velocity patterns produced by various combinations of plastic-pipe windbarriers were studied. A one-row windbarrier with 12.5% optical density was the least effective, reducing downwind velocities over a 30-m (99-ft) distance by an average of only 4.3%. The most efficient windbarrier was a one-row windbarrier with 75% optical density, which reduced velocities an average of 32.5% over the 30-m (99-ft) distance. Equations were derived that can be used in the design of more efficient windbarriers to control wind erosion.

Footnotes

J.D. Bilbro is research agronomist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Big Spring, Texas; and J.E. Stout is physical scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Lubbock, Texas. They thank Steve Davis for preparing the study area, setting up the anemometers and data logger, and transferring data from the data logger to the office; they also thank Charles Yates for his help in calibrating the anemometers, and for his counsel on setting up the anemometers and data logger. Mention of a product is for the benefit of the reader and does not constitute an endorsement by USDA-ARS.
Copyright 1999 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.