A one-dimensional creep model for frozen soils taking temperature as an independent variable

In this paper, a one-dimensional creep model that takes temperature as an independent variable was proposed for frozen soils. A series of K0 compression tests was conducted under different constant surcharge loads with stepped increases in temperature. An analysis of the test results indicated that the characteristics of creep strain, developing due to the stepped increases in temperature, matched well with the parallel lines postulate of the isotache model for unfrozen soils. The independent variable (stress) in the original model was replaced with a reciprocal of the temperature's absolute value, and a novel model for directly describing the effect of the increase in temperature on the creep behavior of frozen soils was established. It was verified by the test results in this study and in previous research work that the tendency of the stepped development of creep strain, due to the stepped increases in temperature, can be reasonably captured by the model. Based on further analysis of the test results, a simplified parameter-obtaining method was recommended and its applicability was verified.