Determining the Consistency of Cohesive Soil
The determination of the consistency (condition) can be done both in situ and in the laboratory. In the case of the in-situ test, the condition of a cohesive type of soil is to be determined as follows:
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A type of soil is called “very soft, if it runs through the fingers while being pressed together in a fist;
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Soft, if it can be kneaded easily;
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Firm, if, although it is hard to be kneaded, it can be rolled out to 0.12 in (3 mm) thick rolls in the hand without ripping or crumbling away in the process;
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Stiff, if, although it is ripped and crumbles away in the process of being formed into 0.12 in (3 mm) thick rolls, it is still wet enough to be formed into a lump again;
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Solid, if it is dried out and, normally, is light in colour. It can no longer be kneaded, but only be broken apart. The individual broken bits can no longer be formed into a lump again.“
