What component of shear strength is independent of interparticle friction?

Soil cohesion is a component of shear strength that is independent of interparticle friction. Cohesion refers specifically to the internal forces that bind soil particles together, which allows the soil to resist shear stress even when there is little or no friction between individual particles. This is particularly evident in cohesive soils, such as clays, where the particles can adhere to one another due to various chemical and physical interactions.

In contrast, interparticle friction plays a significant role in the other components of shear strength, such as the soil frictional angle, which is dependent on the roughness and interlocking of soil particles. Similarly, while shear stress is a measure of applied force, it does not represent an inherent property of the soil itself. Soil density can influence the overall behavior of the soil, but it is not a direct component of shear strength independent of particle interactions. Thus, soil cohesion stands out as a fundamental aspect of shear strength that remains effective irrespective of the nature of interparticle contact.