What characterizes Type-A soil?

Type-A soil is characterized by its cohesive nature, which is typical of clays. Clays have fine particles that are tightly packed and exhibit plasticity when wet, allowing them to hold together effectively. This cohesion is important for stability, especially in situations where soil is subject to stress or erosion.

In contrast, other soil types like sand, silt loam, and gravel have different properties. Sand, for example, consists of larger particles that do not adhere to each other, leading to a less stable structure. Silt loam has a balanced composition of both clay and sand, but it does not exhibit the same level of cohesion as pure clay. Gravel is composed of larger, coarse particles and is well-draining but lacks the cohesive characteristics found in clays. Thus, the defining feature of Type-A soil as cohesive and stable under load is accurately represented by its classification as clay.