What is measured by applying torque in the Vane Test?

In the context of the Vane Test, the measurement involves determining the in-situ shear strength of cohesive soils, particularly soft clays. When torque is applied to the vane, it causes the soil to shear around the blades. The amount of torque required to rotate the vane at a given depth provides a direct measure of the soil's shear strength at material failure.

This is critical for understanding the stability of soil in various construction scenarios, such as excavation stability, embankment design, and foundation support. The test is particularly advantageous because it can be performed in-situ, allowing for a direct measurement that takes into account the natural conditions of the soil, unlike laboratory methods that may disturb the soil structure.

The other options, while related to soil properties, do not pertain to the Vane Test specifically. For instance, water absorption and soil texture focus on different physical characteristics that do not involve torque and shearing mechanisms, while consolidation is a time-dependent deformation under load that is measured using different tests and principles.