Granular soil is characterized by which of the following?

Granular soil is primarily characterized by its composition of larger particles, typically sand and gravel. These materials exhibit minimal cohesion, which means they do not stick together very strongly and rely more on intergranular friction to provide strength. The absence of significant cohesive forces makes granular soils especially effective for drainage and as a foundation material, as they allow water to flow through them easily and can help prevent water accumulation or pressure beneath structures.

In contrast to the other described properties, granular soils do not possess clay-like characteristics, which would involve high cohesion. Additionally, while rock-like materials can be dense, they do not align with the typical behavior of granular soils, which are generally unconsolidated. Lastly, silty soils, while they may exhibit some adhesive properties, do not fulfill the criteria for being classified as granular, as silty materials typically have finer particles and a higher degree of cohesion than sandy or gravelly materials. This understanding of the properties of granular soil is critical for civil engineering applications, particularly in foundations, retention structures, and other infrastructure considerations.