How is cohesion in soil measured?

Cohesion in soil is primarily associated with the stickiness or adhesion between soil particles, which is influenced by the water content and the nature of the soil. This stickiness is an important factor in determining how well soil particles hold together, especially in clays, which exhibit this property more distinctly. Cohesion is critical for understanding soil stability and behavior, particularly in the context of construction, agriculture, and environmental management.

In the context of this question, measuring how sticky the soil particles are provides a direct indication of the soil’s cohesive properties. This method allows for practical assessments of how cohesive a particular soil sample is, which in turn can influence various engineering decisions, such as slope stability and foundation design. Other options do not address the specific measurement of cohesion accurately; for instance, the weight of soil particles or the volume of the mixture does not indicate how well particles adhere to one another, while soil color is not a relevant factor in determining cohesiveness.