Formulating underlying mechanisms of concentrated solid-liquid flows is essential for simulation of various industrial processes and natural phenomena. A generalized constitutive model for particle motion in flows with low to moderate solids concentrations is developed. This generalized model facilitates characterization of inelastic collisions, particle-fluid interactions, and shearing effects. Moderately concentrated simple shear flows of a sand-water mixture are analyzed, and comparisons of model predictions and experimental data are in good agreement. This model exhibits sound performance in characterizing particle motion for wide ranges of concentration and shear rate, and may supply a reasonable and competent alternative to previous models developed for dilute and rapid-granular flows when applied to moderately concentrated situations. The concentration approaches zero (C → 0) asymptote is observed at a relatively high shear rate in model predictions. Assumption of low collisional dissipation of the particle phase as C → 0 is more reasonable for this observation, compared to that without the interstitial fluid effect. Accurately modeling energy dissipation is important for characterizing the stability of dilute simple shear flows of solid-liquid mixtures. Incorporating friction forces will also facilitate improvement of the applicability of this generalized model to flows at extremely high concentrations. Formulating underlying mechanisms of concentrated solid-liquid flows is essential for simulation of various industrial processes and natural phenomena. A generalized constitutive model for particle motion in flows with low to moderate solids concentrations is developed. This generalized model facilitates characterization of inelastic collisions, particle- fluid interactions, and shearing effects. Moderately concentrated shear flows of a sand-water mixture are analyzed, and comparisons of model predictions and experimental data are in good agreement. This model exhibits sound performance in characterizing particle motion for wide ranges of concentration and shear rate, and may supply a reasonable and competent alternative to previous models developed for dilute and rapid-granular flows when applied to moderately concentrated situations. (C → 0) asymptote is observed at a relatively high shear rate in model predictions. Assumption of low collisio nal dissipation of the particle phase as C → 0 is more reasonable for this observation, compared to that without the interstitial fluid effect. will also facilitate improvement of the applicability of this generalized model to flows at extremely high concentrations.