Effect of nano graphene on the shear and consolidation properties of clayey sand soil

In this study, the effect of adding nano-graphene (NG) on the shear and consolidation properties of the clayey sand is investigated. For this purpose, direct shear tests were performed on the sandy soil mixed with clay at 10, 20, and 30% and stabilized with nano-graphene (at 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 by weight ratio of soil) and cured for 28 days. Also, consolidation tests were performed on the sandy soil containing 20% clay and stabilized with nano-graphene (at 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09% weight ratio of soil) and cured for 28 days. The results of this study showed that addition of nano-graphene increases the internal friction angle and cohesion of the soil. The optimal value of nano-graphene is equal to 0.06%. Addition of 0.06% nano-graphene to the specimen SC1 (sand mixed with clay at 10%) increases the internal friction angle and cohesion by 28% and 125%, respectively. Furthermore, in terms of the fine grains, adding nano-graphene causes further improvement of the specimen behavior that contained 10% clay. The results of consolidation tests showed that the Cs and Cc values decrease with addition of nano-graphene.