What technique is used to evaluate the liquid, plastic, semisolid, and solid consistency states of cohesive soil?

The Atterberg Limits are a crucial technique used to assess the consistency states of cohesive soils, particularly their behavior and properties at varying moisture content. This method specifically measures the transition points between the liquid, plastic, semisolid, and solid states of soil, providing insight into how the soil will perform under different moisture conditions.

The Liquid Limit determines the moisture content at which soil transitions from a plastic state to a liquid state. The Plastic Limit marks the point where the soil transitions from a plastic state to a semisolid state. These limits are instrumental in classifying soils and predicting their engineering behavior, including shrink-swell potential and plasticity, which are essential characteristics for construction and geotechnical projects.

In contrast, other techniques such as grain size distribution, the Standard Proctor Test, and sieve analysis serve different purposes. Grain size distribution analyzes the proportions of different particle sizes within the soil but does not specifically address the moisture content-related states. The Standard Proctor Test focuses on determining the optimal moisture content and maximum dry density for compaction of soil, which is not directly related to the consistency states. Sieve analysis is employed to separate and measure the particle sizes in a sample, similar to grain size distribution, but it does not assess the moisture