What does the Atterberg Limits test measure in cohesive soils?

The Atterberg Limits test is specifically designed to measure the consistency of cohesive soils by determining their plastic and liquid limits. These limits assess how the soil behaves under different moisture contents, which is crucial for understanding its engineering properties.

The plastic limit indicates the transition point at which the soil changes from a plastic state (moldable) to a semi-solid state. The liquid limit indicates the point at which the soil changes from a semi-solid state to a liquid state. By establishing these two limits, engineers can better predict how the soil will perform under various loading conditions and understand its potential compressibility, shear strength, and workability.

The other options are related to soil characteristics but do not capture the primary focus of the Atterberg Limits test. Grain size pertains to the physical dimensions of soil particles, dissolved mineral content involves chemical composition, and soil density relates to compaction and weight. None of these directly address the consistency properties of soils as assessed by the Atterberg Limits.