Viscoelastic Analysis of Constant Creep Tests on Silicate-Grouted Sands at Low Stress Levels

This paper presents the mechanical properties of silicate-grouted sands subjected to creep loadings at low stress levels. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed in order to determine the stress levels of constant creep tests. The uniaxial compressive strength rapidly increased with time over the first 7 days of curing and then approached a constant level. A series of creep tests were performed for three stress levels and viscoelastic theory was employed to assess the creep behavior. During the loading process elastic, plastic, and viscoelastic strains existed together. The recoverable portions contained elastic and time-dependent viscoelastic strains, and both were approximately linear. Test results showed that the magnitude of the instantaneous recoverable strains was independent of the unloading time. A constitutive model to predict the permanent deformation was developed.