Aeolian saltation threshold: the effect of density ratio |
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| Authors: | JAMES D. IVERSEN RONALD GREELEY JOHN R. MARSHALL JAMES B. POLLACK |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, U.S.A.;Department of Geology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, U.S.A.;NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Saltation threshold data from three wind tunnels and from hydraulic flumes are presented to show that the dimensionless threshold friction speed for small particles is a continuous function of particle-to-fluid-density ratio. In addition, the dimensionless threshold speed is a function of the grain-friction Reynolds number and an interparticle force term. The variation with density ratio seems to be due to the relative energy with which particles impact other particles to initiate saltation. |
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