An accelerated creep model for the rock downstream of a Xianglushan tunnel

Rheological characterization of the rock surrounding the lower wall of Xianglushan No. 2 tunnel was made to investigate the degree of stability for assurance of the long-term stability of the rock. The creep parameters were extracted for the creep model for the rock mass in the fault zone. A micro-element was introduced to describe the accelerated creep deformation and a new accelerated creep model was established. The creep parameters were extracted by allowing the creep modeling results to fit feature points in the creep curves under different creep loads. The role of various creep parameters on creep behavior was identified. The results showed that the creep modeling results agreed with the experimental data, validating the creep model and the associated parameter determination method.