What is indicated by a high degree of saturation in soil?

• A. High air content
• B. Low permeability
• C. High water content
• D. High shear strength

Answer: (C)

A high degree of saturation in soil indicates high water content because saturation refers to the amount of water present in the voids of the soil relative to the total volume of voids. When the degree of saturation approaches 100%, it means that the soil is nearly filled with water, leaving little to no air in those voids.

This condition is significant in various engineering and environmental contexts, such as understanding the load-bearing capacity of the soil, the potential for liquefaction during seismic events, and the drainage characteristics. High water content can also influence the soil’s behavior under loads, often leading to decreased shear strength and increased risk for erosion or instability.

The other options suggest conditions that do not directly correlate with a high degree of saturation. For instance, a high air content would actually indicate low saturation, and low permeability suggests restricted water movement, which is not a direct result of saturation level. High shear strength typically occurs in drier soil conditions rather than saturated ones. Thus, the recognition of saturation directly reflects high water content, enabling accurate assessments in civil engineering projects.