Sand is what type of soil?

Sand is classified as cohesionless soil because it consists of larger particles that do not stick together and lack cohesive forces. The lack of cohesion between sand particles means that it drains quickly and does not retain water well, leading to rapid settlement when placed under load. This characteristic is essential for understanding how sand behaves in construction and geotechnical engineering applications.

Cohesionless soils, such as sand, are typically characterized by their ability to make good foundations when compacted properly, but they can also be susceptible to shifting and erosion, which is vital to consider in design and construction projects. This characteristic differentiates sand from cohesive soils, which have fine particles that bind together and retain water, impacting their behavior under load.