Which of the following best characterizes granular soils?

Granular soils are primarily characterized by their lack of cohesion and their ability to drain water easily, which gives them high permeability. These soils, which typically include sand and gravel, do not stick together as cohesive soils do (like clay). Instead, they rely on their grain-to-grain contact for strength and stability. The low cohesion means that granular soils are more dependent on the interlocking of particles and friction for shear strength, rather than the attraction between particles that occurs in cohesive soils.

The high permeability of granular soils allows water to flow through them readily, which can be advantageous in certain engineering applications, such as in drainage layers or during the construction of foundations. The characteristics of having low cohesion and high permeability greatly influence how granular soils behave under load and when influenced by water.

Other options do not accurately describe granular soils. High cohesive strength typically applies to clay soils that have strong intermolecular forces. High compressive strength is associated with both granular and cohesive soils, but it doesn't specifically define granular soils. Lastly, low friction and high ductility do not characterize granular soils, as they generally exhibit high friction and are not ductile; they tend to behave in a more brittle manner.