What does an increase in the degree of saturation indicate in the context of soil compaction?

What does an increase in the degree of saturation indicate in the context of soil compaction?

• A. The soil is becoming dryer
• B. The soil is becoming wetter
• C. The soil is losing its load-bearing capacity
• D. The soil is easier to compact

Answer: (B)

An increase in the degree of saturation indicates that the soil is becoming wetter. In the context of soil compaction, the degree of saturation refers to the amount of water present in the soil's voids compared to the total volume of voids. When the soil becomes wetter, it means that more water fills these voids, increasing the degree of saturation. Water plays a significant role in the compaction process. As soil becomes saturated, the water acts as a lubricant, allowing soil particles to move closer together under applied pressure. This helps achieve denser packing of the soil particles, enhancing the compaction density. However, if the soil becomes overly saturated, it may lead to a reduction in effective stress, affecting the soil’s overall strength and stability. Understanding the relationship between water content, degree of saturation, and soil compaction is crucial for effective construction and engineering practices, as it directly impacts the soil's load-bearing capacity and stability. The other options reflect misunderstandings about the effects of water on soil behavior during compaction. For example, stating that the soil is becoming dryer contradicts the very premise of an increase in saturation. Similarly, while an increase in water can influence load-bearing capacity, it does not directly imply that the soil is losing

An increase in the degree of saturation indicates that the soil is becoming wetter. In the context of soil compaction, the degree of saturation refers to the amount of water present in the soil's voids compared to the total volume of voids. When the soil becomes wetter, it means that more water fills these voids, increasing the degree of saturation.

Water plays a significant role in the compaction process. As soil becomes saturated, the water acts as a lubricant, allowing soil particles to move closer together under applied pressure. This helps achieve denser packing of the soil particles, enhancing the compaction density. However, if the soil becomes overly saturated, it may lead to a reduction in effective stress, affecting the soil’s overall strength and stability.

Understanding the relationship between water content, degree of saturation, and soil compaction is crucial for effective construction and engineering practices, as it directly impacts the soil's load-bearing capacity and stability.

The other options reflect misunderstandings about the effects of water on soil behavior during compaction. For example, stating that the soil is becoming dryer contradicts the very premise of an increase in saturation. Similarly, while an increase in water can influence load-bearing capacity, it does not directly imply that the soil is losing