Particle transport and adjustments of the boundary layer over rough surfaces with an unrestricted, upwind supply of sediment

Most natural surfaces containing non-erodible roughness elements are considerably more complex than those studied in modelling exercises and wind tunnel simulations. Unlike idealized roughness elements, which are uniform in size, shape (i.e., spheres or cylinders) and spacing, natural elements are challenging to measure in 3-dimensional space. Similarly, most deflation lag surfaces, such those as found on sandar and beaches, are spatially heterogeneous open systems in which sediment transport from an external supply is very likely. The development of irregular deflation lag surfaces, and the transport of sediment over these surfaces from an upwind source of sediment, was studied in a series of wind tunnel simulations. Surfaces prepared with crushed gravel and natural beach shingle respond conservatively in terms of the adjustment to the deflation and deposition of sediment. Deflation lag surfaces, prepared with no spacing between the roughness elements (i.e., close packed), demonstrate little to no change in coverage with the introduction of particles from an upwind source. Neither the element type nor the friction velocity affect this outcome. As the center-to-center element spacing increases to 60 mm, infilling of the lag surface eventually is observed, with the element coverage reduced by a factor between 2 and 4. For a given threshold ratio (Rt), the roughness density (λ) is smaller than observed in previous simulation studies based on idealized roughness elements.