What is billowing?

Billowing refers to the way a fabric or material swells and fills up with air when it is blown by the wind. This effect occurs when air flows over the surface of a material and creates a low pressure area that pulls the material outward, causing it to expand and wave back and forth.

Billowing can occur in a variety of contexts, including clothing, sails, flags, and curtains. In some cases, billowing can be desired for its aesthetic or functional value, such as when a flag is designed to wave impressively in the wind. However, billowing can also be a problem if it causes clothing to become tangled or poses a safety risk for those working with sailing vessels or other equipment.

The degree of billowing depends on several factors, including the shape and size of the fabric or material, the wind speed and direction, and the tension and weight of the material itself. In general, lighter materials are more prone to billowing than heavier ones, and taller objects tend to billow more than shorter ones.