Step 1: Understanding Soil Shear Strength
Soil transitions through limits based on moisture content:
- Liquid limit: Soil behaves like a liquid.
- Plastic limit: Soil is moldable but not liquid.
- Shrinkage limit: Moisture removal causes minimal volume reduction.
Step 2: Shear Strength at Limits
At the liquid limit, shear strength is low (~1.7 kN/m²), making it the correct choice.