Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cohesive soil?

Cohesive soil is known for its ability to retain shape, high plasticity, and water retention, which are all key characteristics that allow it to be molded and shaped under different moisture conditions. Cohesive soils, such as clay, possess fine particles that create strong inter-particle attractions, which lead to these properties.

The notion that cohesive soils possess low shear strength is misleading. In fact, cohesive soils typically exhibit significant shear strength, especially when adequately compacted and at optimal moisture content. Their shear strength can increase with a decrease in moisture content and with time as the soil dries and consolidates. Therefore, stating that cohesive soil possesses low shear strength does not accurately represent its characteristics and properties.

Overall, recognizing the properties of cohesive soils helps in understanding their behavior in geotechnical engineering applications, such as stability assessments and construction foundations.