Soils that have a high percentage of clay are often associated with which characteristic?

Soils that contain a high percentage of clay exhibit significant plasticity. Plasticity refers to the ability of a material to deform and retain a new shape without cracking or breaking when subjected to applied stress. Clay particles are very small and plate-like, which allows them to pack closely together and create a complex structure capable of holding moisture. This characteristic is particularly important in engineering and construction, as it influences how the soil behaves under load, its workability when wet, and its overall stability.

The plasticity of clay soils makes them suitable for various applications, including pottery and ceramics, as well as being a vital consideration in civil engineering for foundations and slope stability. Understanding the degree of plasticity is essential for assessing how clay will perform in different conditions and dictates the methods used for excavation, compaction, and other earthworks.

While cohesion is also a characteristic of clay due to its molecular structure and the presence of water, it is the plasticity that stands out when discussing soils with high clay content. Granulation pertains to the particle size distribution in the soil and is more associated with sandy or loamy soils, while permeability relates to the ability of the soil to transmit water, which is typically low in clay-heavy soils.