A creep model with damage based on internal variable theory and its fundamental properties

•A creep damage model is proposed based on Rice irreversible ISV thermodynamics.•The viscoelastic equation covers classical component model.•Three creep phases with hardening and damage effect can be described by this model.•Intrinsic thermodynamic properties in different creep stages are indicated.•The index for evaluating the long-term stability of structure is pointed out.

The creep damage is discussed within Rice irreversible internal state variable (ISV) thermodynamic theory. An ISV small-strain unified creep model with damage is derived by giving the complementary energy density function and kinetic equations of ISVs. The proposed model can describe viscoelasticity and, preferably, three phases of creep deformation. Creep strain results from internal structural adjustment, and different creep stages accompany different thermodynamic properties in terms of flow potential function and energy dissipation rate. During the viscoelastic process, the thermodynamic state of the material system tends to equilibrate spontaneously. The thermodynamic state of the material system without damage tends to equilibrate or achieve steady state after loading. Kinetic equations of ISVs can be derived by one single flow potential function, and the energy dissipation rate decreases monotonically over time. In the entire creep damage process, multiple potentials are needed to characterise evolution of ISVs, rotational fluxes are presented in affinity space, and the thermodynamic state of material system tends to depart from the steady or equilibrium state. The energy dissipation rate can be a measure of the distance between the current thermodynamic state and the equilibrium state. The time derivative of the rate can characterise the development trend of the material, and the integral value in the domain may be regarded as indices to evaluate the long-term stability of the structure.