What type of soil condition does clay generally exhibit compared to sand?

Clay exhibits good cohesion, which means it has the ability to bind together due to attractive forces between the particles. This cohesion occurs because of the fine particle size and the shapes of clay particles that allow them to interlock more than larger, granular materials like sand. However, while clay has good cohesion, it often has lower shear strength compared to other types of soils when not consolidated or when saturated with water. This means that under specific conditions, such as when the clay is wet, its ability to support loads can be compromised, leading to potential failures.

The distinction in behavior between clay and sand under load is significant. Sand, due to its larger particle size, typically has lower cohesion but higher frictional resistance, giving it greater strength under certain loading conditions compared to saturated clay. Hence, while clay's cohesive properties can provide stability, its overall strength is usually lower in comparison to the strength exhibited by sand, particularly when considering the degree of saturation and the effective stress conditions.