What is the component of rock or soil that is independent of interparticle friction?

The component of rock or soil that operates independently of interparticle friction is cohesion. Cohesion refers to the attractive forces between particles that allow them to stick together, providing strength to the material despite the absence of external forces or friction. This property is inherent in materials due to molecular attraction and affects their ability to hold together, especially in saturated conditions where water may reduce friction.

Understanding cohesion is crucial in geotechnical engineering, as it plays a significant role in the stability of slopes, retaining structures, and in the analysis of soil shear strength. Unlike interparticle friction, which relies on the texture and roughness of the particles in contact, cohesion is a measure of the internal binding among the particles regardless of their arrangement or the forces acting upon them. This means that even in saturated conditions, where frictional resistance might be reduced, cohesion can still provide significant stability and strength to the soil or rock mass.