A gradation chart shows a line with a constant slope indicating the same amount of material is retained on each successive sieve. What is this gradation called?

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The gradation described, where a line with a constant slope indicates that the same amount of material is retained on each successive sieve, is referred to as "well-graded." This term signifies that the material has a good distribution of particle sizes, which contributes to various beneficial properties such as increased density and improved stability in construction applications. Well-graded materials have a mix of fine, medium, and coarse particles, allowing voids to fill efficiently, thus enhancing the material's overall performance.

In contrast, "uniformly graded" would refer to a material that has very little variation in particle size, leading to poor packing and stability. "Poorly graded" implies an uneven distribution of particle sizes, typically with many fines or gaps between different size ranges. "Gradation-free" is not a standard term used in geotechnical engineering and does not accurately describe a gradation condition. Each of these terms highlights different characteristics of soil and aggregate mixtures in terms of size distribution and how they can affect engineering properties.

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