What is the typical cohesion value (c) of sand?

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Answer: (A)

The typical cohesion value (c) of sand is indeed 0. Cohesion refers to the attractive force between particles of a material, which contributes to the strength of soil. In granular soils like sand, the particles are generally not bonded together, leading to negligible cohesive forces. This results in a cohesion value of zero, indicating that sand relies primarily on friction between particles to provide strength and stability, rather than on cohesive forces.

In contrast, cohesive soils, such as clay, exhibit measurable cohesion due to the fine particle size and the electrochemical forces that exist between them. The other values listed (1, 2, and 3) imply some degree of cohesive strength which is not characteristic of sand. Therefore, selecting 0 for the cohesion value of sand is aligned with the fundamental understanding of soil mechanics and behavior of granular materials.