The Atterberg Limits Test measures which of the following characteristics of soil?

The Atterberg Limits Test is specifically designed to assess the plasticity characteristics of soil, particularly the fines fraction, which refers to soil particles that are smaller than 0.075 mm (or 75 microns). This test determines the water content at which soil transitions between plastic and liquid states, allowing for the classification of soil based on its behavior when wet.

The two critical values measured in the Atterberg Limits Test are the Liquid Limit, which indicates the water content at which the soil changes from a plastic state to a liquid state, and the Plastic Limit, which signifies the water content at which the soil changes from a semi-solid state to a plastic state. Understanding these limits helps in predicting how a soil will behave under different moisture conditions, which is essential for various engineering applications such as foundation design, earthworks, and the general characterization of soil properties.

Other options, such as shear strength, compressive strength, and permeability, relate to different soil properties and behaviors but are not directly measured by the Atterberg Limits Test. Shear strength pertains to the soil's resistance to shearing forces, compressive strength concerns the soil’s ability to withstand axial loads, and permeability involves how easily water can flow through the soil. While these aspects