Modelling the physical properties of fine suspended sediments

This paper presents new formulations for estimating the effective floc density (Δρ f ) and the relative viscosity (μ r ) of mixture of fine suspended sediments. Fitting parameters of the new models were calibrated using data available in the literature. Good comparisons were obtained when the settling velocities estimated based on the proposed models were compared against the settling velocity estimated from existing models found in the literature. The average value of the primary particle size, D p for the data used in the analysis, inferred from the new model for Δρ f was found to vary from 0.05 μm to 100 μm with a mean value of 2.5 μm. The new model for μ r is applicable to mixtures of both non-cohesive and cohesive sediments. © 2010 World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.