What term is used to describe the noise created by pipes during hydraulic shock?

The term that describes the noise created by pipes during hydraulic shock is "water hammer." Water hammer occurs when a fluid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly. This rapid change in momentum creates a pressure wave that travels through the piping system, leading to loud banging or knocking sounds. This phenomenon commonly happens when a valve is closed quickly or when a pump is turned off abruptly.

Understanding water hammer is important for plumbing design because it can cause damage to pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Properly designed systems include measures such as air chambers or hydraulic shock arrestors to mitigate the noise and potential damage caused by this issue.

While vibration noise, flow chatter, and pressure surge are terms associated with fluid dynamics and hydraulic systems, they do not specifically refer to the sudden noise created by hydraulic shock as accurately as water hammer does. Each of these terms denotes different aspects of fluid behavior, but water hammer is uniquely identified with the situation described in the question.