Which conditions can affect the compaction of soil?

The compaction of soil is significantly influenced by its water content and type of soil. Water plays a crucial role in the process; it can temporarily lubricate soil particles, allowing them to move closer together. The right amount of moisture in the soil can improve the inter-particle forces, enhancing compaction efficiency. For instance, too little water may prevent soil particles from achieving maximum density, while too much water can lead to a loss of cohesion among particles, leading to a less compacted mass.

The type of soil also affects compaction because various soils have different grain sizes, shapes, and distribution patterns. Cohesive soils, such as clay, respond differently to compaction techniques compared to granular soils like sand. The gradation or the mixture of particle sizes in the soil can influence how well it compacts, as well-compacted soils tend to have a denser arrangement of particles for maximum strength and stability.

While other options mention factors that could potentially influence soil conditions, they do not have the direct or significant impact on compaction as water content and soil type do. For instance, temperature and humidity can affect the properties of the soil in broader terms, but the specific processes of compaction are more directly tied to the interplay between water and soil