The consistency of a saturated cohesive soil is affected bya)water con...
B) particle size distribution and water content. The consistency of a saturated cohesive soil is affected by both the particle size distribution of the soil and the water content of the soil. Cohesive soils are composed of fine-grained particles, such as clay, silt, and fine sand, that have a high water-holding capacity. The consistency of a cohesive soil is largely determined by the amount of water present in the soil, as well as the particle size distribution of the soil. Soils with a higher water content will generally be more plastic and less stiff, while soils with a lower water content will be more stiff and less plastic. The particle size distribution of the soil can also affect the consistency of the soil, as smaller particle sizes will generally result in a more cohesive soil with higher plasticity.
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The consistency of a saturated cohesive soil is affected bya)water con...
Factors Affecting the Consistency of Saturated Cohesive Soil
Water content and particle size distribution are the two main factors that affect the consistency of a saturated cohesive soil. Let's discuss these factors in detail.
Water Content:
The amount of water present in a cohesive soil affects its consistency greatly. The consistency of the soil is directly proportional to the amount of water present in it. As the water content increases, the soil becomes softer and more plastic. When the soil is completely saturated with water, it becomes very soft and may even lose its strength. On the other hand, if the soil is too dry, it may become hard and brittle. Therefore, the water content of the soil needs to be carefully controlled to achieve the desired consistency.
Particle Size Distribution:
The particle size distribution of a soil also affects its consistency. Cohesive soils are composed of fine particles that tend to stick together. The size and distribution of these particles affect the soil's strength, plasticity, and compressibility. If the soil has a wide range of particle sizes, it will have a higher shear strength and be less compressible. However, if the soil has a narrow range of particle sizes, it will be more plastic and compressible.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the consistency of a saturated cohesive soil is affected by the amount of water present in it and the particle size distribution. These factors need to be carefully controlled to achieve the desired consistency and strength of the soil.
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