Experimental observations on the creep behaviour of frozen soil

Constitutive models in the literature for creep of frozen soil are based on the direct use of time counted from the onset of creep. An explicit time dependence in a constitutive equation violates the principles of rational mechanics. No change in stress or temperature is allowed for during creep, using the time-based formulations. Moreover, the existing descriptions need much verification and improvement on the experimental side as well. Creep behaviour of artificially frozen sand was evaluated experimentally. Novel testing methods were used, and new insights into the creep behaviour of frozen soil were gained. Creep rate under uniaxial compression was examined with different kinds of interruptions, like unloadings or overloadings. Experimental creep curves were presented as functions of creep strain. They were brought to a dimensionless form which describes the creep universally, despite changes in stress or temperature. Possible anisotropy of frozen soil was revealed in the creep tests on cubic samples with changes of the loading direction. Using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique, information on the lateral deformation and the uniformity of creep were obtained. Volumetric creep of unsaturated frozen soil under isotropic compression was demonstrated to be due to the presence of air bubbles only.