The impact of wind erosion on the railway subgrade
Abstract
Railways in Uzbekistan mainly pass through irrigated, desert, and mountainous areas, and the Bukhara–Misken railway line is located in a desert region. Under sandy desert conditions, it is necessary to study the impact of wind on railway subgrade slopes and track superstructure elements. In railway design, operation, and reconstruction, wind speed, direction, single-event duration, and the annual number of windy days are important factors. As a result of wind–sand effects, the cross section of the railway subgrade may be damaged, and sand deposition on track superstructure elements may disturb the ballast layer structure, reduce the freight and passenger carrying capacity of the line, compromise traffic safety, or lead to line closure. This article analyzes experiments and studies conducted in Uzbekistan and other countries on the effects of wind on railways and develops recommendations for mitigating these impacts.