Creep and long-term bearing capacity of a long pile in clay

Fluage et capacité portante à long terme d’un long pieu dans de l’argile

Ter-Martirosyan Z.G., Ter-Martirosyan A.Z., Sidorov V.V.

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow,Russia

ABSTRACT: A rheological equation is proposed to describe shear deformations in party saturated hardening-softening clay soil,
based on modification of Maxwell rheological model. It is shown that the proposed equation describes creep, relaxation and kinematic
shear with identical parameters, including decaying, stable and progressive creep, depending on shear stress intensity.
RÉSUMÉ : Une équation rhéologique est proposée pour décrire les distorsions au sein d’une argile partiellement saturée, avec
durcissement et radoucissement, basée sur une modification du modèle rhéologique de Maxwell. Il est montré que l'équation proposée
décrit le fluage, la relaxation et le cisaillement cinématique avec des paramètres identiques, y compris la diminution stable et
progressive du fluage, en fonction de l'intensité de la contrainte de cisaillement.
KEYWORDS:long-time bearing capacity, hardening, softening, kinematic shear,stress relaxation, progressive creep.

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Investigation of clay soils in shear [1…16] shows that

rheological curves can be summarized for static loading
(   const ) as creep curves (Fig.1, а); for kinematic
loading (   const , 1  const ) as curves  (t )  f (, )
(Fig. 1, b); for given fixed strain value (  (0)  const ,
 (t )  const ) as relaxation curves  (t )  f ( 0 ,  ) (Fig. 1,
c), with  and  as shear and compression stresses,  and
 as shear strain and its rate,  – as shear strain rate,
t - time.
In each case the curves are quantified as empirical
dependencies, based on rheological models [1…16].

(c)
Fig.1. Rheological curves:
а) creep and long-term strength, (τ1< τ2…<τ7 – critical values
of τ in case of γcr = const);
b) shear stresses τ(t) for different shear rates   const , and
1  2  3  4 ;
c) stress relaxation for different values of  (right) and limit
straight line of residual (long-term) shear strength (left)
The paper presents a rheological equation to describe shear
deformations of clay soil with strong rheological properties and
Maxwell rheological creep threshold  * for strengthening and
softening, depending on accumulated shear strain (Fig. 2).

(a)

Fig. 2. Maxwell rheological model, having strengthening,

softening and shear structural strength properties:
1 – elastic element, 2 – structural strength, 3 – viscous
element.

The concept of simultaneous strengthening and softening of

deforming clay soil was repeatedly stressed by S.S.Vyalov,
(b)
M.N.Goldstein, G.I.Ter-Stepanayan, and it was also proved by
experiments [1…5].

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 Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013

While summarizing these investigations S.S. Vyalov [1]

emphasized that soil creep is accompanied by mutually opposite
events of soil hardening and softening. If hardening dominates,
then it leads to decreasing of deformations, if softening then it
leads to failure. And he developed a kinematic theory of soil
strength and creep, based on Ya.I.Frekel molecular theory of
soil flow.
The equation below relates to the flow theory, in which
strain rate isthe sum of elastic  e and visco-plastic  vp strain
rates i.e.,
   e   vp where viscosity and cohesion variation
rates versus time are taken into account:

  *  e e   
     (1)
 (t )  a b  G
 

1.2 witha ,b ,  ,  as strengthening and softening

parameters, G as shear modulus;  * as creep threshold:
Fig. 3. Curves γ (in decimals) andt (in hours) for clay
 *  `tg  ct  (2) soil with different values of tangential stresses in simple shear
with σ` as effective stress, с(t) as time dependent conditions, according to eq. (1) with known parameters α,β, a, b
cohesion. и η and τ > τ*, τ1 < τ2<τ3<τ4
For triaxial compression eq. (1) looks similar if index i
is added to all parameters that means transfer to strain ratesγi
due to shear stresses  i ,  i* andσ`. Consider rheological Calculation as per (5) demonstrates that dependence γ(t)
features double curvature same as in case (1) i.e., depending on
processes on the basis of eq. (1) below.
the level of stress  , and parameters a1 ,b1 , 1 , 1 that depict
2 CREEP AND LONG-TERM STRENGTH decaying, non-decaying and progressive creep (Fig. 3). Such
result is due to the difference of exponential functions in
Analysis of eq. (1) with constant cohesion ratio brackets in eq. (4), the first of which describes strengthening
( c(t )  const ) and volume deformation showed that at flexure while the second relates to softening.
Eqs. (1) and(5) are identical, as they give the same
points of creep curves (see Fig.1 а, top portion) the critical
results.In order to apply eq. (5) for solving boundary problems
values of  cr , based on condition   0 , are constant and are
it is necessary to determine parameters a1 ,b1, 1 , 1 from
described by equations as
experiments that can differ from parameters in Eq.(1).
1 a
cr  ln  const (3)
  b 3 KINEMATIC SHEAR
with respective stresses τcr(γcr) depend on applied τ и γcr,
i.е.,  cr  f ( ,  cr ) , t cr  f ( ,  cr ) . Soil sample deviator loading is a broadly applied triaxial
The creep curve flexure time point tп can be determined test, following hydrostatic compression with constant axial
from the curve (see Fig. 1) i.e., from the crossing points of lines deformation rate 1  const . In simple shear (distortion) under
γ(t) and γcr=const. Hence, each τ corresponds to τcr and tcr.Thus, kinematic loading (   const ) eq. (1) with looks,
(1) and (3), based on parameters of creep curves, yield long-
as follows:
term strength curve  n (t n ) , using parameters τ0 and   (see
Fig. 1a, bottom part).    *  evt e  vt  

   (7)
Eq. (1) can be used for analyzing laboratory test data. In   a b  G

order to describe creep in soil mass asin (1) the following withv as angular strain rate  
v
const
equation can be applied:
We obtain from eq. (7)
   *  e1t e 1t  
     (4) G  evt e  vt   *G  evt e  vt 

  a1 b1  G     vG   (8)
   a b 

  a b 

If   const :
Solution of this differential equation, obtained
   *  e1t e  1t 
 (5) numerically with the help of MathCad software for various
  
  a1 b1  shear strain values 1, 2 ...n , enablesplotting a family of curves

Solution (5) can be expressed as follows: τ(t) - γ (Fig. 4). The calculations showed that they haveextreme
points at characteristic time tcr =const and acommon asymptote.
   *  e 1t e  1t  It is obvious thatfrom those curves wecan plotcurves τmax(σ) и
 t    (6)
  1a1 1b1  τmin(σ) in case of   const .
 

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 elastic, viscoelastic, elastic-plastic and viscous.

5.1Linear deforming soil under pile tip

Technical Committee 212 / Comité technique 212
Let us determine pile settlement rate due to friction T (t )
from solution, based on the assumption for the shear mechanism
of soil displacement around pile with volume deformations
being neglected [11]. For  *  0
In order to solve this problem the pile settlements,
caused by ST forces
a a
1 t 
b0 aand
lnT(t)
a0a
0   R (t ) , lnshall
G1 t 
b0 a 0be calculated and (12) then
related to Inthe orderpile to solve this
deformation problemEpthe
modulus thatpile is muchsettlements,
greater
 as pile settlement rate.  -
caused
than thewith  a  T 2T(t)
bysurrounding
forces alsoil andmodulus
and R (tS)T, shall Es be i.e.,calculated and then
Ep>>Es. Consider а
Fig. 4. Curves of τ (kPa), depending on γ (%), in kinematic various
related
rate tocases
of changing the pile of bi-layer soil
 аdeformation moduluswith Eupper p that islayer, much having
greater
viscoelastic
than the surrounding properties as tinmoduluseq. (4) while Es i.e., theElowerp>>Es.one being
loading   const at various values of compacting loading σ (7) e t soil e
1 1 Consider
(13)
elastic,
various  1cases
(t ) 1 of
viscoelastic, 
( elastic-plastic
bi-layer ) soil and with viscous.
upper layer, having
and σ1> σ2> σ3> σ4 a1 b
viscoelastic properties as1 in eq. (4) while the lower one being
5.1Linear The rate of settlement,
deforming elastic-plastic
elastic, viscoelastic, soil under pile generated
andtip viscous. by force R (t ) is also
4 STRESS RELAXATION
determined from solution for a circular stiff plate, pressed in
elastic
5.1Linear medium
Letdeforming
us determine soil pile
under settlement
pile tip rate due to friction T (t )
Equation (1) demonstrates a stress relaxation process
from solution, a0 1on
based 
  2the K1assumption for the shear mechanism
for   0 i.e., with  t    0  const and with initial 
ST  p 2 (14)
of soil Let us determine
displacement 4G2around pile settlement
pile with rate volume due todeformations
friction T (t )
 0   0   and  (t )  const . Solution (1) in this case looks, as
*
from solution,
being With K (based
neglected )  1 as
l[11]. on the
 * assumption
Forcoefficient,
0 for the shear
accounting for the mechanism
depth of
follows: of soil
load application displacement to the around
plate; pile
и with - volumestress
applied deformations
and rate
ln b a 
a  ap   p

ln b a  
  ST  a 0 2 a 2 (12)
  t   res 1  e  At   0e  At (9) being
of neglected
its changing.  0For0  * G10t  0 0
1 t[11].

G  e 0 e   0 
By
with
a
ST comparing
 a aTln2bal
1 t 
eq. (12)
0 a0and  0Sand T lnas
G1 t 
b0 pile
a 0  settlement rate. (12)
a a eq. (14) with the account of
а -
with A    ,  res  f   (10) eq. (11) we obtain:
Fig. 4. Curves
loadingτ  as  const
 of  τa(kPa), bdepending

at various values


of
on γ (%), in kinematic
compacting loading σ (7)
rate of changing  а
a02  p1  pwith 2  lnba aT 2
0 0e t p 2e  t
al aand0 lnb0STa0 as
2   pileasettlement
 p 2
 
1  2 K1 rate. а -
(15)
(13)
residual strength
1 tchanging
 1 (t ) 1 (а 
1 1

Fig.Let
res
4. Curves of τ
and(kPa),σ > depending
σ > σ > σ on γ (%), in kinematic rate2lof ) 2lG1 4G2
us determine the limit curve of residual strength
1 2 3 4 a b
loading   constcurves at various σ (7) After somee1 t transformations 1
we get the following
from relaxation for values
different of compacting
values of loading
compressive  The ) rate
1 (tequation:1 of
e t
( settlement,

1

)
1
generated by force R (t )(13) is also
4 STRESS RELAXATION and σ > σ > σ > σ differential
stresses σ (see Fig.1, c, on the1 left2 side). 3 4 determined from a1
solution b1 for a circular stiff plate, pressed in
p 2  p2 P(t )  p1Q(t ) (16)
elastic medium The rate of settlement, generated by force R (t ) is also
54SOME
STRESS Equation RELAXATION
PROBLEMS (1) demonstrates
OF APPLIED SOIL MECHANICSa stress relaxation process with
determined from 1  2 K1for a circular 2stiff plate, pressed
a solution in
for   0 i.e., with
Equation
The problem
 t  
(1) ofdemonstrates
 0 
a pile interaction
const
a stress
and with initial
with relaxation process
rheological soil
elastic medium
ST  p 2 0
B ( t ) , Q4Gt 
2 
Dt 
; A 
 
 1  K1 a0 lnb0 (14)

a0 
;
P (t )  a 1   KA
 0   0   * and  (t )  const . Solution (1) in this case looks, as With
ST  Kp 2(lA) 01 as coefficient,
4G2
accounting 2l theGdepth
for (14) of
 t    0regularities
 2 1 1
can
for be 0reduced
i.e., with to determining const of constant
and with force N
initial
follows: * between side resistance and bottom resistance
distribution load application a0 to ln bthe 4G 
aplate;
2 иa0 pp1 ln- bapplieda0  stress and rate
 0  and B t   0 0 ; Dt 2p 0
  (17)
2
(fig.5) 0tN and

 (t )  tconst
R (t1)eT(At
. Solution (1) in this case looks, as
)   0e  At (9) With K2l(l ) 11tas  coefficient, 1t 
2l accounting for the depth of
res of its changing.
follows: load application
By comparing to thefor plate;
eq. (12) p2and иcondition - applied
p 2 (14)
eq. pwith stress and rate
with N  a02 pi , T G 2 Solution (16) initial 2 (0) the 0 ,account
obtained of
   
with Ares
t    2ea
1   e 
0Atl0 , Re 
 
 0 e
a002p2 , a0 , b0as pileradius and
 At  ,  res  f   (9)
(10) eq.
with (11)
of itsthe we
changing.
help obtain:
of MathCad software, yielded that p varies versus
 
2
  a b 

G  e 0 e   0 
  By
a02  p1with
time  lncomparing
p2different rateseq.aand
2(12)tends
lnb0and a0 eq. (14)
a 1with
to constant  2values
Kthe account
(Fig. 6). of
τwith as residual strength ,    (10) eq.
The (11)
pile we b0 a0   pis
obtain:
settlement
2 0
also determined  p 2 from eq, 1 (15)by
(14),
A   res  f 2l1t  2lG1 4G2
 
res
  a b 
Let us determine  the limit  curve of residual strength a02  p1 After
introducing p2  p 2 some(t ) instead a02 ln
of p 2b(t0) .a0  wea 1get  2the K1 following
from relaxation
τresas residual curves strengthfor different values of compressive lnb0 a0   p2 transformations
  p2
 (15)
2 l 
differential
1 t  equation: 2 lG 1 4 G 2
stresses σLet (see usFig.1,
determine c, on the theleftlimitside).curve of residual strength
After
p 2  p2 Psome (t )  ptransformations
1Q(t )
we get the (16) following
from relaxation curves for different values of compressive
differential with equation:
5stresses
SOMEσPROBLEMS (see Fig.1, c,OF on APPLIED
the left side). SOIL MECHANICS

5 SOME The problem ofOF

PROBLEMS a pile
APPLIEDinteraction SOILwith rheological soil
MECHANICS
p 2  p2 P(t ) 
with
p1Q(t )
 
B (t ) , Qt   Dt  ; A   1  K1  a0 lnb0 a0  ;
2 (16)
P (t )  A
 
A 4G2 2l G1
can be reduced to determining regularities of constant force N Dt   1  2 K1 a0 lnb0 a0 
distribution between ofside resistance andwith bottom resistance P(tt)a0 ln b, 0Qat 0  ; D
B ( t ) ; Aa0 p1 lnb0 a0  ;
The problem a pile interaction rheological soil B At   4G2 2l G1(17)
(fig.5)
can beand  reducedN R (to t ) determining
T (t ) regularities of constant force N 2l A 1 t  2l 1t 
distribution between side resistance and bottom resistance a ln b a0  initial acondition p lnb a 
with N  a02 pi , T  2a02l , R  a02 p2 , a0 , b0as pileradius and B t   0 (16)0 for
Solution ; Dt   0 1 0 p 20(0)  0 , obtained (17)
(fig.5) and  N R (t )  T (t ) 2l 1 t  2l 1t 
with the help of MathCad software, yielded that p2 varies versus
pile influence area; l as pile length, p , p as stresses at pile Solution
different(16) forand initial tendscondition )  0 , (Fig.
p 2 (0values obtained
with N  a02 pi , T  2a02l , R  a02 p2 , a10 , 2b0as pileradius and time with rates to constant 6).
head and und er its tip respectively. The
with pilethe help settlement
of MathCad is also software, determinedyielded from that p2eq, (14),
varies versus by
time with different
introducing p 2 (t ) instead ratesofand p 2 (tends
t ) .(a)to constant values (Fig. 6).
Fig.5 Principal schematic of interaction between pile The pile settlement is also determined from eq, (14), by
and 2-layer soil massive, where G, φ, c и η are parameters of
introducing p 2 (t ) instead of p 2 (t ) .
deformation, strength and viscosity respectively

pile influence area; l as pile length, p1, p2 as stresses at pile

head and under its tip respectively.
pile influence area; l as pile length, p1, p2 as stresses at pile
(a)
head and Fig.5
underPrincipal schematic of interaction between pile
its tip respectively.
and 2-layer soil massive, where G, φ, c и η are parameters of
(a)
deformation, strength
Fig.5 Principal and viscosity
schematic respectively
of interaction between pile
and 2-layer soil massive, where G, φ, c и η are parameters of
deformation, strength and viscosity respectively
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 Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013

Analysis of solution (19) showed that p 2 decays versus

time at different rates and tends to constant values (Fig. 7) while
the settlement can decay or not decay, depending on the
intensity of applied load p1  N / a 2 (Fig. 7b).

6 CONCLUSIONS

1. A rheological equation is proposed to describe soil shear,

based on the modified Maxwell model, having clay
strengthening and softening parameters.
2. Analysis of the equations has shown that for the case of
constant loading it describes decaying, non-decaying and
(b) progressing soil creep as well as stress and shear strain
relaxation processes in kinematic loading mode.
Fig. 6. Here p2(t) (kPa) - t (hours)(а) and s(in meters) 3. In the pile-soil interaction problem solution the distribution
(b) curves from (16) and (14) respectively with input parameters of applied force between the side surface and the lower tip
from (15) is time-related, and it can result either in decaying or in non-
decaying pile settlements, depending on the parameters of
5.2Elasto-plastic bed under pile tip soil around the pile and under its tip.

7 REFERENCES
Vyalov S.S. 1978. Rheological bases of soil mechanics.[in Russian],
Vysshajashkola, Moscow.
ZaretskiyYu.K. 1988. Visco-elastic behavior of soil and calculations of
structurers. [in Russian], Stroiizdat, Moscow.
Osipov V.I. 1979. Nature of strength of clay soil.[in Russian] Moscow
State University, Moscow.
Ter-Martirosyan Z.G. 2010.Soil Mechanics. [in Russian], ASV,
Moscow.
Ter-Martirosyan A.Z. 2010. Interaction between foundations and
rheological soil under cyclic and vibration loads.[in Russian]
Author's abstract of dissertation for Ph.D. degree, Moscow.
Skempton A.W. 1964. Long-term stability of clay slopes.
(a) “Geotechnique”.Vol. 14.- №2. - P.p. 77-101.
Murajama S. and Sibata T.1961.Reological properties of clay. // Proc. 5-
th ICSMFE. Paris, Vol. I. - P.p. 269-173.

(b)

Fig. 7.p2(kPa) - t (hours) (а) according (19) and

s(meters) - t(hours) (b) according (18) plots for different
viscosity and elasticity parameters of soil around pile and
different elasto-plastic parameters of soil under pile tip.

The settlement rate of soils under pile tip is roughly

approximated as:
a1  2  p*2
Sr  p 2 (18)
4G2 p*2  p2

With p *2 as limit load on soil bed, determined from

known solutions [11].
Eq. (1) yields that p2  p*2 if S  
Comparison ofeqs. (4) and (18) according (11) yields a
differential equation versus p2:
a02  p1  p2  a 2 ln b0 a0 
ln b0 a0   p 2 0

 p 2

a 1  2 p*2
(19)
2l1 t  2lG1 4G2 *
p 2  p2

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