Question

Considering the compaction curve, the soil in the wet of optimum zone has:
1. More permeability than in dry of optimum zone
2. Dispersed structure
3. Flocculated structure
4. More shear strength than in dry of optimum zone

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Dispersed structure

Explanation:

(i) The table below presents a comparison between the dry of optimum and wet of optimum compaction:

Property	Dry of optimum	Wet of optimum
Structure	Flocculated	Dispersed
Permeability	More	Low
Swelling ability	More	Less
Shrinkage	Low	High
Shear strength	High	Low
Sensitivity	More	Low
Water deficiency	More	Low

 

(ii) Hence, when compacted dry of optimum, the soil shows high shear strength and more sensitivity as the clay particles are arranged in a flocculated structure. Also flocculated structure attributes for the high permeability. The exact opposite behavior is found when compacted wet of optimum.