What is the main distinction between cohesive and non-cohesive soils?

Prepare for your GERTC Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Geotechnical Engineering Test. Study with multiple choice questions, detailed hints, and explanations. Get set for the HPGE exam!

Cohesive soils are characterized by their fine particle size, which allows them to adhere to one another due to cohesive forces, particularly the attraction between water molecules and the soil particles themselves. This stickiness enables cohesive soils, such as clay, to retain shape and provides unique engineering properties, making them critical in applications involving stability and load-bearing.

In contrast, non-cohesive soils, typically composed of larger particles like sand, do not have the same sticking properties. These soils lack significant cohesion and do not form clumps, allowing them to drain water more quickly and be less susceptible to deformation under load. The absence of cohesion means that non-cohesive soils behave differently under stress, which is important for considerations in construction and land development.

Understanding this distinction is essential in geotechnical engineering, as it influences decisions about soil stabilization, drainage systems, and foundation designs for structures.

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