09 Jul 07 Snaking Water, What is this effect called?

I often see this effect in stepped drains after a good rain. The flow at the top of the drain is normal but towards the bottom of the drain the water starts snaking. Anyone knows why this happens?

Reader's Comments

1. THM | 10 Jul 2007 6:53 pm

   It’s a combination of the curve shape in the drainage stones and the momentum created by the fall of the water.

2. preetamrai | 13 Jul 2007 1:50 am

   Thanks for dropping by THM. We also discovered that the water starts dancing after a particular step that is not aligned properly.

3. Preya | 13 Jul 2007 11:41 am

   That’s pretty cool! I wish we had enough rain here for that to happen, haha:)

4. altaf | 16 Jul 2007 2:24 pm

   Hi preetam, the top flow is considered laminar and the bottom flow is turbulent.This is due to fluid dynamic behaviour of fluid flowing in channels.

5. IZ Reloaded | 24 Jul 2007 1:26 am

   I thought it is because the end of the world is near.

6. lancerlord | 31 Jul 2007 1:16 am

   And before reading this, I was just watching a video on Laminar effect.
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p08_KlTKP50

   But i think it is more of the u-shape channel that causes the pendulum effect, hence the snake effect. Like what THM says.

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website