SPH Analysis of Wind-Sand Transport on Embankments with Varying Slopes

Abstract This study aims to use the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method to simulate the movement of wind-sand flow on small-scale embankments with different slope ratios. Traditional numerical methods based on grids are not well-suited for small-scale models due to their sensitivity to large grid deformations and distortions. In contrast, the SPH method represents the solution domain through discretized independent particles, allowing it to effectively resolve various issues stemming from large grid deformations or distortions. Therefore, this study uses the SPH method to construct an embankment model with virtual particles, establish a two-phase flow model of wind-sand flow on the embankment, develop an SPH program for simulating wind-sand flow on embankments using the C programming language, and analyze the wind-sand flow field on embankments with different slope ratios. The results show that the variation in embankment slope ratios has a significant impact on the wind-sand flow field. As the slope ratio decreases continuously, the embankment gradually slows down, and the weakened wind speed zones on both sides of the embankment gradually decrease. Consequently, the area of sand accumulation diminishes progressively, making it less prone to sand accumulation.