An analysis of methods for calculating constant terminal-settling velocities of spheres in liquids

Methods for calculating constant terminal-settling velocities (v_s)of spheres are examined for their validity and limitations of usefulness. A different approach is given which accurately predicts v_s for spheres over a wide range of hydraulic conditions based on past experimental work. The theory behind this approach is given along with the listing of a fortran program which directs the calculations of v_s.The practical limits of the author's method are stated, and tables of v_s may be generated from the program for common mineral densities over a range of sizes useful to sedimentologists.