Understanding Water Leaks: The Hidden Role of Cavitation

Water leaks in pipes are a big deal. They waste water and cost money. But what makes these leaks happen? It's not just about pressure. There's a sneaky factor called cavitation. Cavitation is when tiny bubbles form and collapse in water. It can change how water flows through leaks. This study looked at how cavitation affects leaks in water pipes. First, they did experiments. They watched water flow through small holes in pipes. They saw cavitation happening. Then, they used computers to simulate the flow. The results showed that cavitation makes leaks behave differently than expected.The study found that the shape of the leak affects cavitation. When the hole is longer, cavitation gets worse. This is because the water flows faster and creates more bubbles. The study also found that cavitation can make leaks seem smaller than they are. This is why some old studies got weird results. They didn't account for cavitation. Understanding cavitation is important. It can help us predict leaks better. This means we can save water and money.