ANALYSIS OF THE SNOWSTORM FLOW AROUND A SNOW PROTECTION FENCE MODEL BASED ON WIND TUNNEL TESTS

Abstract

The article discusses snow protection fences created based on the application of careful research and scientific developments, important data from aerodynamic and field tests for 70 years. Significant research has been conducted in the aerodynamic testing facility. This equipment was developed in Japan by Riken Kobe in order to reproduce snowdrifts formed by snowstorms, and combines the collection of data on drifts that are similar in shape and direction to local drifts, and a function that satisfies the theory of similarity. The PIV method (particle image anemometry) was used, which is an optical method for measuring a fluid, using which it is possible to obtain the instantaneous velocity of a set of points in a flow without contact. Using a high-speed camera made it possible to obtain slow-motion images of rapid processes and accurately analyze the flow of a snowstorm around a snow fence. As a result, it follows that the effects of reducing snowdrifts and visibility on the road in this experiment are due to: high-performance snow intake (fence height = 4 m, slope shoulder ~ 1.5 m apart). For the safety of traffic, on poorly visible sections of the road, guiding lighting equipment is installed on snow-retaining fences along the roads, creating guiding lines for drivers (bends and roadsides become clearly visible, road safety increases).