The Engelund-Hansen equation was developed by equating the work done by the drag forces of the flow to the potential energy gained by particles as they move up the face of a dune. The form of the equation used is:
(3)
Where
G = volumetric sediment transport rate
K = calibration coefficient (=1 for standard equation)
W = width of flow
V = water velocity
h = flow depth
S = water surface slope
s = specific gravity of sediment
D = sediment diameter
g = acceleration due to gravity
The factor 0.05 in the equation was set using empirical data.
The suggested applicability of the Engelund-Hansen equation is for 
< 1.6 and for a mean diameter greater than 0.15 mm.