Review of the theory of turbulent flow and its relation to sediment‐transportation

In flowing streams the percentage of suspended material decreases with distance above the bed and, with a certain depth and average velocity, particles above a critical size or specific gravity are not put into suspension. As the random velocities which make up the turbulent flow (turbulent flow as distinguished from laminar or viscous flow) also provide the means for carrying the particles into the interior of the fluid, a quantitative theory of turbulent‐flow should also provide a theory for distribution of material in suspension. The present paper is a review of the theory of turbulent flow developed by Osborne Reynolds, Prandtl, von Karman, and Taylor, and of its application to the distribution of suspended material by Schmidt and others.