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157

A new elastic viscoplastic model for time-

dependent behaviour of normally and
overconsolidated clays: theory and verification
Jian-Hua Yin, Jun-Gao Zhu, and James Graham

Abstract: This paper presents a new three-dimensional elastic viscoplastic (3D EVP) constitutive model for the time-
dependent stressstrain behaviour of both normally consolidated and overconsolidated clays. There are two major new
developments in the 3D EVP model: (i) incorporation of a nonlinear creep function with a limit for the creep volume
strain under isotropic stressing conditions; (ii) adoption of a new loading surface function with a smooth shape on the
plane. Based on the equivalent time concept of Yin and Graham, the formulation of the new 3D EVP model is
derived using the new nonlinear creep function and loading surface function. A new approach to determining all model
parameters is presented. The 3D EVP model is calibrated using data from one conventional isotropic stress creep test
and consolidatedundrained triaxial tests on soft Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMD). The model is verified by com-
paring model results with those from both normally and overconsolidated triaxial tests on HKMD and a mixture of
kaolin and bentonite.
Key words: creep, time-dependent, viscoplastic, equivalent time, stressstrain, constitutive model, verification, clay.
Rsum : Cet article prsente un nouveau modle de comportement tridimensionnel lastique visco-plastique (3D EVP)
pour tudier le comportement contraintedformation en fonction du temps des argiles tant normalement consolides
que surconsolides. Il y a deux dveloppements majeurs dans le modle 3D EVP. Lun est lincorporation dune fonction
de fluage non linaire avec une limite pour la dformation volumtrique en fluage dans la condition de mise en con-
traintes isotropes. Lautre est ladoption dune nouvelle fonction de chargement de surface avec une forme lisse sur le
plan . Sur la base du concept de temps quivalent de Yin et Graham, la formulation du nouveau modle 3D EVP
est drive au moyen des nouvelles fonctions, soit la fonction non linaire de fluage et la fonction de chargement de
surface. On prsente une nouvelle approche pour dterminer tous les paramtres du modle. Le modle 3D EVP est ca-
libr au moyen de donnes dun essai conventionnel de fluage sous contraintes isotropes et dessais triaxiaux consoli-
ds et non drains sur les dpts marins mous de Hong Kong (HKMD). Le modle est vrifi par comparaison des
rsultats du modle avec les rsultats des essais triaxiaux tant normalement que surconsolids sur les dpts de Hong
Kong et sur un mlange de kaolin et de bentonite.
Mots cls : fluage, dpendance au temps, visco-plastique, temps quivalent, contraintedformation, modle de
comportement, vrification, argile.

[Traduit par la Rdaction] Yin et al. 173

Introduction modelling of the time-dependent behaviour in one-

The time dependency of the stressstrain behaviour of soft
soils, especially highly plastic clay, is generally too signifi-
cant to be ignored (Bjerrum 1967; Graham et al. 1983). The
constitutive modelling of the time-dependent stressstrain
behaviour of soils has been an active area of research for
five decades and has attracted much attention from the inter-
national geotechnical community in recent years. Bjerrum
(1967), Leroueil et al. (1985), Yin and Graham (1989), and
others have done extensive work on the laboratory study and
dimensional (1D) straining in odometer tests. In parallel, ef-
forts have been made to study and develop models for time-
dependent stressstrain behaviour of soils under both triaxial
stress states and general stress states. A number of models
have been proposed (Yin 1990).
Most of the time-dependent models developed so far were
based on the elastic viscoplastic (EVP) modelling frame-
work of Perzyna (1963, 1966). For different elastic visco-
plastic models, the approaches used to determine the
viscoplastic strain rates may be different. In developing elas-

Received 21 November 2000. Accepted 10 August 2001. Published on the NRC Research Press Web site at http://cgj.nrc.ca on
15 February 2002.
J.-H. Yin.1 The Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon,
Hong Kong, China.
J.-G. Zhu. Research Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, China.
J. Graham. Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
1
Corresponding author (e-mail: cejhyin@polyu.edu.hk).
Can. Geotech. J. 39: 157173 (2002) DOI: 10.1139/T01-074 2002 NRC Canada

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158
tic viscoplastic models, the concepts of instant compression
and delayed compression, proposed by Bjerrum (1967), have
been commonly adopted (Kaliakin and Dafalias 1990; Borja
and Kavazanjian 1985; Kutter and Sathialingam 1992; Yin
and Graham 1999). The definition of instant and delayed
compression is shown in Fig. 1a. By separating the instant
and delayed compression, Bjerrum developed a timeline
model for 1D straining (odometer test conditions). However,
the full implications of the timeline concept in Bjerrums
model and in subsequent models (Borja and Kavazanjian
1985; Kutter and Sathialingam 1992) were not properly de-
fined, and there was no explanation as to how to derive
these time-dependent stressstrain models. Yin and Graham
(1989, 1994) pointed out that the timeline proposed by Bjerrum
for considering creep compression under 1D straining
should be a line with a carefully defined equivalent time,
not the ordinary duration of loading. Otherwise, contradic-
tions occur, especially when the clay is overconsolidated.
Yin and Graham (1989, 1994) defined equivalent time and
other concepts such as instant timeline and reference time-
line for 1D straining condition. Using these concepts and log-
arithmic functions, they derived a general 1D EVP constitutive
model for time-dependent stressstrain behaviour of clays and
calibrated and verified the model using test data from three dif-
ferent soils. The 1D EVP model has been successfully used in
1D consolidation analysis of clay (Yin and Graham 1994; Sun
1999; Nash and Ryde 2000; Zhu and Yin 2000).
Yin (1990) and Yin and Graham (1999) have extended the
concepts for 1D straining for triaxial and general stress
states and developed an elastic viscoplastic model that uses a
simple elliptical flow surface and Mises failure criterion.
This original EVP model is considered to be a genuine ex-
tension of the modified Cam-Clay model (Roscoe and
Burland 1968) for time-dependent stressstrain of soils (Yin
1990; Yin and Graham 1999). This EVP model was cali-
brated and verified using data from triaxial tests on the
sandbentonite mixture proposed in a Canadian program for
the safe disposal of nuclear fuel waste. Yin and Graham
demonstrated that the model predictions were in good agree-
ment with the measured results.
Borja and Kavazanjian (1985), Kutter and Sathialingam
(1992), Yin and Graham (1999), and Vermeer and Neher
(2000) have made considerable progress in the development
of suitable models for predicting the time-dependent stress
strain behaviour of clayey soils. It is recognized by the au-
thors, however, that these models have certain limitations.
For example, the models by Borja and Kavazanjian and Yin
and Graham are only applicable to normally consolidated
and slightly overconsolidated clays. The model by Kutter
and Sathialingam was formulated in the conventional triaxial
stress space instead of the general three-dimensional (3D)
space. Based on the framework proposed by Yin and Gra-
ham, this paper presents a new 3D EVP model for both nor-
mally consolidated and overconsolidated clays in a general
stress state and the model verification.
Compared with the original EVP model proposed by Yin
and Graham (1999) and other models, the new EVP model
in this paper has the following features that eliminate limita-
tions in other models: (i) it uses a nonlinear creep function
to fit the relationship between creep strain and time and this
nonlinear function assumes the creep strain to have a limit,
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Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002
which is consistent with the physical implication; (ii) it is ap-
plicable to both normally consolidated and overconsolidated
soils; and (iii) it is formulated in a general 3D stress space.
Fundamental assumption in the new 3D
EVP model
According to Bjerrum (1967), in odometer compression, the
total volume strain of a soil subjected to a stress increment is
divided into instant volume strain and delayed (creep) vol-
ume strain, as shown in Fig. 1a. Since Bjerrum proposed
these concepts, the decomposition of total strains into instant
and delayed strains has been widely accepted in both the iso-
tropic and general 3D stress states. There are mainly two
types of assumptions adopting the separation of instant and
delayed deformation. One type of assumption divides total
strain rates into elastic strain rate and viscoplastic strain rate
components. A number of researchers used this assumption,
for example, Zienkiewicz and Cormeau (1974), Adachi and
Oka (1982), Desai and Zhang (1987), and Kutter and
Sathialingam (1992). On the other hand, some researchers,
such as Borja and Kavazanjian (1985), and Kaliakin and
Dafalias (1990), believed that total strain rates might be di-
vided into elastic strain rates, plastic strain rates, and
viscoplastic strain rates. In the present study, the former as-
sumption is adopted, i.e., total strain rates & ij are the sum of
elastic strain rates & eij and viscoplastic strain rates & vp
ij :
[1] & ij = & eij + & vp
ij
where subindices i = 1, 2, 3 and j = 1, 2, 3; and the overdot de-
notes the rate of a variable. Here, the instant strains are as-
sumed to be elastic, time-independent, and recoverable, but the
delayed strains are viscoplastic, time-dependent, and irrecover-
able. A separate elastic relationship is suggested to relate the
elastic strain rates & eij in eq. [1] to effective stress rates & kl :
[2] & eij = C ijkl & kl
where Cijkl is a fourth-order compliance tensor with subindi-
ces k = 1, 2, 3 and l = 1, 2, 3. Summation is implied if two
subindices of two items are the same. If the elastic deforma-
tion of soil is assumed to be isotropic, there are only two con-
stants (or moduli), for example, shear modulus G e and bulk
modulus K e. It is noted that (i) compressive stresses and
strains are positive in soil mechanics, and (ii) the constitutive
relationship is constructed in terms of effective stresses.
Viscoplastic strain rates & vp
ij in eq. [1] are calculated from a
flow rule that was originally proposed by Perzyna (1963, 1966):
Q Q
[3] & vp
ij = ( F ) = S
ij ij
where is referred to as the fluidity parameter (with units of
inverse time), is a function of F, Q is a viscoplastic potential
function, F represents the difference between the dynamic
loading surface and the static yield surface, and ij is the
stress tensor. In eq. [3], + (F), was originally used by
Perzyna. It is noted that + (F), = (F) for F > 0 or + (F), = 0
for F 0 in Perzynas model. In our EVP model, however,
S is used instead of + (F),. The S is called a scaling function
and is assumed to be related to a loading (or flow) surface
function, which is denoted by F in this paper. The scaling
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Fig. 1. (a) Definition of primary and secondary consolidation and instant and delayed compression. (b) Illustration of the instant
timeline, reference timeline, equivalent timelines, and limit timeline for 1D stressing (extended from Yin and Graham 1999).
function S was first proposed and used by Yin (1990) and Yin
and Graham (1999), who suggested an approach to defining
and determining S. This approach is based on the equivalent
time concept as introduced in the 1D EVP model by Yin and
Graham (1994), in which a logarithmic creep function was
used to fit the creep data of volume strain against time under
isotropic stressing for determination of the S function.
Though the logarithmic function has been used widely in en-
gineering practice and research, this function has an errone-
ous limitation in that when creep time is infinite, the creep
strain is infinite. To eliminate this limitation, a nonlinear
creep function (Yin 1999) with a limit is to be used in this pa-
per to fit the creep data under isotropic stressing.
It should be mentioned that the scaling function S is dif-
ferent from + (F),. For the latter, when F 0, + (F), = 0.
For the scaling function in this paper, in the case of a soil
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159
state below the limit timeline (to be introduced later), S
would be equal to 0; in any other state, S is greater than 0.
The elasticplastic behaviour can easily be dealt with using
the new 3D EVP model in two ways: (i) the behaviour
below the limit timeline is purely elasticplastic (time-
independent); and (ii) when the viscosity (or creep parame-
ter ) is zero, the 3D EVP model becomes an elasticplastic
model (Yin 1990).
A new elastic viscoplastic relationship in
isotropic stressing
The important concept of equivalent time is used in de-
veloping the elastic viscoplastic relationship. Bjerrum (1967)
mentioned equivalent time for odometer creep behaviour, but
he did not give a clear definition of the concept. In deriving
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160 Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002

a general EVP relationship for the time-dependent stress
strain behaviour for a 1D straining condition, Yin and Gra-
ham (1989, 1994) developed the concept. They gave a spe-
cific definition and an explanation for equivalent time. Yin
(1990) and Yin and Graham (1999) further extended the
equivalent time concept for the creep behaviour under iso-
tropic stressing. Based on the above-mentioned work, this
section adopts a nonlinear creep function to derive a general
EVP relationship for isotropic stressing using the same
equivalent time concept.
Figure 1b shows four fundamental concepts used in the EVP
model under 1D (isotropic) stressing: (i) equivalent time te,
(ii) instant timeline (also called line), (iii) reference timeline
( line), and (iv) limit timeline (new in this paper). The term
vm in Fig. 1b is the volume strain corresponding to the mean
effective stress, pm . The definitions and physical meanings of
these concepts are similar to those in the earlier EVP models
(Yin 1990; Yin and Graham 1989, 1994, 1999), except for the
limit timeline which is newly introduced in this paper. A brief
discussion follows on how these concepts can be developed
by using a natural logarithmic function for the line and
line and a nonlinear function for creep volume strain.
Instant timeline (or line)
The instant timeline is used to define the instantaneous
volume strain at any point in Fig. 1b (above or below the
limit timeline). The volume strain on the instant timeline can
be expressed as
pm
[4] evm = evmo + ln
V pu
where pu is a unitreference mean stress, pm is the mean ef-
fective stress under isotropic stressing, and evmo is the vol-
ume strain at pm = pu . In eq. [4], V = 1 + e0 is the specific
volume, where e0 is the initial void ratio. The ratio /V is a
material parameter used in the same way as in the modified
Cam-Clay model (Burland 1967). The instant timeline is ac-
tually a set of lines with a slope of /V in the pm vm plane.
For example, if a soil in a state at point i in Fig. 1b is loaded
+1, the state of the soil will first instantly move from i
to pm,i
to (i + 1) along an instant timeline (the same slope as that
of the line), and then it will experience creep, i.e., delayed
deformation from (i + 1) to (i + 1).
Reference timeline (or line)
The reference timeline is written as
pm
[5] rvm = rvmo+ ln
V pmo
where rvmo is the strain at mean effective stress pm = pmo ;
are three parameters. The term /V
and rvmo, /V, and pmo
is similar to that used in the modified Cam-Clay model
(Burland 1967) for defining the elasticplastic line for
isotropically consolidated specimens in a normally consoli-
dated stress range. It has been shown by Yin and Graham
(1994) that if the viscous nature is ignored, the reference
timeline in eq. [5] expresses the elasticplastic compression
line as in the modified Cam-Clay model. The two parame-
determine a point which the line passes
ters rvmo and pmo
through, i.e., they are used to fix the line. The line cor-
responds to zero equivalent time, and hence provides a refer-
ence for counting equivalent time te, which is discussed later
in this section. As shown in Fig. 1b, te is negative above the
line and positive below the line. Once the reference
timeline is determined, a unique relation of pm vm te is
then determined and is presented later in this section.
Nonlinear creep compression
The logarithmic function has been commonly used to fit
the creep strain vp
vm versus time or secondary compression
versus time. One form of this kind of function can be written
as vp
vm = (/V)ln[(t0 + te)/t0], where t0 is a curve-fitting pa-
rameter related to the choice of reference timeline (Yin and
Graham 1989, 1994, 1999). One apparent limitation of this
function is that when time is infinite, creep strain is infinite.
An infinite creep volume strain implies that the soil particles
occupy zero volume. This is certainly incorrect. Yin (1999)
proposed a nonlinear creep function with a limit and found
that this function can fit creep test data well. This paper
adopts this nonlinear creep function for the time-dependent
creep volume strain under isotropic stressing. The nonlinear
creep function is expressed as

o t0 + te o
ln
V t V t +t t +t
[6] vp
vm =
0 = ln 0 e = ln 0 e
o t0 + te o t0 + te t0 V t0
1+ ln 1+ ln
V vp
vml t0 V vp
vml t0

In eqs. [6] and [7], o /V, t0, and vp

vml are three constant param-
eters. If considering ln[(t0 + te)/t0] together as a variable, eq. [6]
where is in fact a hyperbolic function. (The authors have found that a
hyperbolic function using time t (or te) directly cannot provide
o a good fit to the creep data.) In eq. [7], if vp
vml = , the param-
eter /V = o /V. Consequently, eq. [6] would be reduced to
[7] = V the commonly used logarithmic function. From eq. [6], it is
V 1 + o ln t 0 + t e also found that when te = , vp vm = vml . This implies that
vp
V vp
vml t0 there is a limit for the viscoplastic (creep) volume strain.
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With the time increase, the volume strain due to creep will
never exceed (down) this volume strain limit of vp
timeline corresponding to this limit is called a limit
timeline as shown in Fig. 1b. If vp vml is a constant, inde-
pendent of pressure, the limit timeline will be parallel to the
reference timeline, as shown in Fig. 1b. The vertical distance
between the limit timeline and the reference time lime is
equal to the value of vp vml . The state of heavily
overconsolidated soil will be below the limit timeline. In this
case, the behaviour of soil is assumed to be elasticplastic
and time-independent.
It is noted that eq. [6] uses equivalent time as defined and
used by Yin and Graham (1989, 1994, 1999). The use of
equivalent time makes it possible to use a single equation,
for example eq. [6], to describe the time-dependent creep
above the limit timeline under any loading condition, includ-
ing loading and unloading, and in a so-called normally con-
solidated or overconsolidated state.
The meaning of the equivalent time te can be simply ex-
plained here. There is a soil element in a state at point i in
Fig. 1b. The load imposed on the element is increased from
i to pm,
pm, i +1. The state of the element will move instantly
from point i to point (i + 1) and then creep to point (i + 1)
under constant mean effective stress pm, i +1. Here we assume
that there is no water coupling, since the model is built for
the soil skeleton using effective stresses. For the sake of con-
venience we have chosen point (i + 1) to be on the refer-
ence timeline (Yin and Graham 1994, 1999). If this is done,
creeping from point (i + 1) to point (i + 1) takes place with
the equivalent time te equal to the real creep duration t. In
this case, if the time in eq. [6] uses either equivalent time or
real time, this equation can correctly express the volume
strain under this stress increment of pm, i to pm, i +1. The creep
rate can be calculated using eq. [6].
Now consider what would happen to the creep rate
(viscoplastic strain rate) if the state of point (i + 1) has
been reached by a path with a loading and unloading se-
quence [i (i + 2) (i + 2) (i + 1)], which is different
from the path of [i (i + 1) (i + 1)]. The equivalent time
concept indicates that the creep rate at point (i + 1) for any
loading path is the same as that obtained by creeping from
point (i + 1) on the reference timeline for an equivalent
time te as in eq. [6]. In other words, the equivalent time of a
soil element experiencing a path of [i (i + 2) (i + 2)
(i + 1)] is equal to that of an element experiencing a path of
[i (i + 1) (i + 1)]. This implies that the creep rate is in-
dependent of the loading path and loading history, and this
can be easily described by the equivalent time concept (Yin
and Graham 1989, 1994, 1999).
According to Yin and Graham (1999), the line 21(i + 1)
(i.e., the reference timeline) in Fig. 1b can be very close to
the compression line obtained at the end of primary consoli-
dation (EOP), and thus it may be considered that the soil at
point (i + 1) is in an overconsolidated state due to ageing
(Bjerrum 1967). According to the equivalent time concept,
however, this overconsolidation can be reached by either age-
ing or loadingunloading, which do not have to be specified.
Therefore, the state of a soil element can be uniquely deter-
mined by (pm , vm , te), and the behaviour of volume creep in
both the normally and overconsolidated (or unloadingreload-
ing) stress ranges can be described by eq. [6]. As mentioned
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161
earlier, for the heavily overconsolidated stress range, the state
vml . The of soil may be below the limit timeline. In this case, the soil
is considered to be elasticplastic and time-independent.
Differentiating eq. [6], one obtains the creep rate at a
point with an equivalent time te :
o
d vp 1
[8] vm = V
dt e t0 + te o t0 + te
2
1 + ln
V vml
vp
t0
Equation [8] indicates that constant equivalent time te lines
are also lines of constant viscoplastic strain rate, d vp
vm /dt e , for
a loading history of creeping from the reference timeline to
the current state, but this creep rate is derived the same way
as that for any other loading history, as explained previously.
In other words, this creep rate is derived using the equivalent
time and is independent of the loading path or history.
In fact, it is well known that creep rate is independent of
the loading path or history and is a function of stressstrain,
and this knowledge is used by almost all researchers. For ex-
ample, the creep rates in eq. [3] in the model by Perzyna
(1963, 1966) are in fact a function of the stressstrain state
only, independent of the loading history. The simplest
Maxwells rheological model also indicates that the creep
rates are independent of loading history. Laboratory data
support this assumption (Yang et al. 1999; Yin 1999). The
equivalent time concept is simply used to determine the
creep rate independent of loading history. In other words, the
creep rate determined using a particular loading history, for
example, the conventional creep tests, is the same and can be
used for any other loading history.
Thus, for any infinitesimal loading, the viscoplastic creep
rate is given by & vp
vm = d vm /dt and, according to the equivalent
vp
time concept, there exists & vpvm = d vm /dt = d vm /dt e . This is
vp vp
very important and means that the equivalent time is not the
real time but is used to obtain lines of constant viscoplastic
creep rates (or field). Nash and Ryde (2000) call the lines of
constant viscoplastic creep rates a set of isotaches. Using the
equivalent time (or the isotaches), the creep rate is uniquely de-
fined by the current state of the soil (Bjerrum 1967; Yin and
Graham 1989, 1994, 1999; Nash and Ryde 2000).
A new general constitutive relationship for 1D stressing
condition
Using the equivalent time concept, a unique general rela-
tionship between pm , vm , and te in a condition of isotropic
stress for the time-dependent stressstrain behaviour can be
expressed as
p
[9] vm = rvm + vp
vm = vmo +
r
ln m
V pmo
o t0 + te
ln
V t0
+
o t +t
1+ ln 0 e
V vp
vml t0
Equation [9] means that the volume strain at any point under
a certain mean effective stress is equal to the volume strain
at the reference timeline plus the creep strain under the same
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162 Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002

Table 1. Isotropic consolidation test on Hong Kong marine deposits.

Loading Unloading Reloading
Stage: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pressure (kPa) 25 50 100 200 400 800 400 200 100 200 400 800
Duration (min) 3260 2820 20 160 2850 2840 2850 600 1232 1500 900 1380 4300
One day vm (%) 4.38 9.28 14.93 20.39 26.30 31.34 30.92 29.76 28.21 28.97 30.20 31.92
End vm (%)a 5.07 9.55 15.54 20.52 26.51 31.58 30.92 29.76 28.21 28.97 30.20 32.17
a
Volume strain at the end of the corresponding loading stage.

Fig. 2. (a) Illustration of the reference timeline and instant timeline. (b) Changes of volume strain with time.

. This equation has an interesting feature, that is,

stress pm similar to the elasticplastic strain in the modified Cam-Clay
when the parameter o /V approaches zero, the total strain is model. From eq. [9], t e is then given by

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Yin et al. 163

Table 2. Values of parameters in the isotropic EVP relationship for HKMD and other parameters.

/V /V (kPa)
pmo o /V t0 (min) vmo
r
vp
vml M n
0.018 0.0793 15.2 0.0025 1440 0 0.601 1.265 6

Fig. 3. Failure surfaces or loading surfaces on the plane. Considering an infinitesimal time increment (dt) and loading
increment for a stress state above the limit timeline, say from
point i to point (i + 1) in Fig. 1b, the incremental volume strain
is expressed as d vm = d evm + d vpvm , where d vm is the elas-
e

tic strain increment from i to (i + 1) (taking no time for elastic

deformation) and d vp vm is the viscoplastic strain increment for
dt. From this, we have d vm /dt = d evm / dt + d vp vm /dt. Since
d vp
vm /dt = d vm /dte (the creep rate due to a different loading
vp

history is the same as that from the reference timeline to the

current point according to the equivalent time concept), we
have d vm /dt = d evm /dt + d vp
vm /dte. Consequently, a general
1D EVP relationship in an isotropic stress condition is derived
as
2
p& m
r
[12] & vm = + o 1 + vm vp vm
Vpm Vt 0 vml


rvm vm V
exp

1 + vm vm o
r

vp
vml
where d vp
vm /dte from eq. [11] is used.


p Determination of 1D EVP model parameters
vm rvmo ln m for Hong Kong marine deposits
V pmo
[10] t e = t 0 + t 0 exp
p There are seven parameters in eq. [12], i.e., /V, o /V, t0,
vm rvmo ln m vp
vml , /V, vmo , and pmo . This section uses the data from an
r
o 1 V pmo
isotropic consolidationcreep test on soft Hong Kong marine
V vml
vp
deposits (HKMD) (clayey silt) to illustrate the methodology
for determination of all parameters in eq. [12].

Substituting eq. [10] into eq. [8], the viscoplastic volume HKMD and isotropic consolidationcreep test
strain rate is written as The HKMD were taken from the seabed (12 m sediment
thickness) at a site in Hong Kong. From wet sieving and hy-
2
d vp
vm = o 1 + vm vm
r drometer tests, the HKMD tested in this study consisted
[11] mainly of clay and silt with some fine sand (27.5% clay with
dt e Vt o vml
vp
particle size < 0.002 mm, 46.5% silt with 0.002 mm < parti-
cle size < 0.063 mm, and 26.0% fine sand with 0.063 mm <
particle size < 0.15 mm). The basic physical properties of the
rvm vm V HKMD were measured (Zhu et al. 1999) and the values are as
exp
follows: specific gravity Gs = 2.66, liquid limit wl = 60%,
1 + vm vm o
r
plastic limit wp = 28%, and plastic index Ip = 32%.
vp One isotropic consolidation test on a remoulded HKMD
vml
specimen was performed in a triaxial cell and pore-water
where rvm is defined as in eq. [5]. pressure was monitored (Zhu 2000). The specimen was
According to eq. [1], the total volume strain rate & vm 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height. The initial void ra-
should be the sum of the elastic strain rate & evm and the tio of the sample was e0 = 1.504. Because of the length of this
viscoplastic strain rate & vp vp & &e & vp
vm = d vm /dt, i.e., vm = vm + vm . test, double membranes were used to prevent the possible
By differentiating eq. [4], the elastic strain rate is deter- leakage of water. The test results are summarized in Table 1,
mined as & evm = p& m
/(Vpm
). According to the equivalent time in which volume strains vm at 1 day and at the end of a load-
concept, the viscoplastic strain rate is d vp vm /dt = d vm /dte.
vp
ing step are presented.

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164
Fig. 4. (a) Loading surfaces, total stress path (TSP), and effective stress path (ESP) in qp space. CS, critical state. (b) Corresponding
v (or vm ) versus p, instant timeline, reference timeline, and limit timeline for isotropically consolidated, undrained triaxial test at
constant axial strain rate (extended from Yin and Graham 1999).
Determination of /V, vp vml , o /V, and t0
The relationship of vm ln pm in the loadingunloading
stages can be considered as linear (see Fig. 2a). Using the
curve-fitting technique, the slope of the instant timeline fit-
ted to the unloadreload points in the vm ln pm plot is ob-
tained as /V = 0.018.
In all loading stages of the isotropic consolidation test, the
longest duration of loading was about 1 week. In this stage
(stage 3) the consolidation pressure was 100 kPa. After the
primary consolidation, the test data can be used to determine
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vp
vml , o /V, and t0. The changes of volume strain with time
under a pressure of 100 kPa are shown in Fig. 2b.
As mentioned earlier, vp vml is the limit of viscoplastic vol-
ume strain in eq. [6]. A special hyperbolic function in eq. [6]
has been demonstrated by Yin (1999) to provide a good fit to
the data (or creep strain data) after primary consolidation. The
determination of vp vml is not an easy task because it is impos-
sible to run a test of infinite duration. However, vp vml will
have an upper bound value. In an extreme case, assuming the
voids of a soil element (or specimen) all become zero under
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Yin et al. 165

creep at infinite time, the upper bound limit is vp vml,upper = Determination of /V, rvmo, and pmo
e0 /(1 + e0). The real limit will be vp
vml < e0 / (1 + e0). In case The parameters rvmo and pmo are used to fix the reference
no long-term creep data are available, the limit creep strain ) of the point on the reference
timeline. In fact, any ( vm , pm
can be estimated as vpvml e0 / (1 + e0). Since e0 = 1.504, the timeline can be taken as rvmo and pmo . It is convenient to
vml 0.601 for the HKMD in this paper.
limit vp choose them so that when pm = pmo , the strain vm is zero.
The data from stage 3 (vertical stress of 100 kPa) after Therefore, rvmo is generally taken to be zero, as shown in
1440 min are used to determine the parameters in eq. [6], since Fig. 2a. Since point A is on the reference timeline and
after 1440 min the excess pore-water pressure has been dissi-
pvmA = 100 kPa, rvmA = 14.93% (see Table 1); then, noting
pated and the strain increment is all creep strain. In Fig. 2b, vmo = 0, eq. [5] can be written as
r

point A is at time 1440 min. This point is considered here on

100
the reference timeline or the reference timeline passes point A [14] 0.1493 = ln
as shown in Fig. 2a. Thus, the equivalent time is counted start-
V pmo
ing at the real duration time of 1440 min. In other words, point
A in Fig. 2b is taken as a starting point of creep with te = 0 to The load increment from (i + 1) to (i + 2) is now considered
count for the equivalent time te. Equation [6] is then used to (see Fig. 2a). From eq. [4], vm,( i+ 2 ) = vm,( i+1) + ( /V)ln
best fit the creep data after point A as +2 /pm,
(pm,i i +1), since deformation is elastic from (i + 1) to
o t0 + te (i + 2) . According to eq. [9] (the equivalent time concept),
ln the volume strain vm,( i+ 2 ) at point (i + 2) can also be ex-
V t0
[13] vp
vm = ( vm ) total ( vm ) t =1440 min = pressed as
o t +t
1+ ln 0 e i+ 2
V vml
vp
t0 pm,
[15] vm, ( i + 2 ) = rvmo+ ln
V
pmo
where ( vm )t = 1440 min is the volume strain at the elapsed time
t = 1440 min. When carrying out curve fitting, it should be o t 0 + t e, ( i + 2 )
ln
noted that te = 0 corresponds to t = 1440 min. In this way, V t0
+
the two parameters in eq. [13] are determined as t0 = o t 0 + t e, ( i + 2 )
1440 min and o /V = 0.0025, assuming vp vml . The fitted line
1+ ln
is shown in Fig. 2b. The data from t = 0 to t = tA (point A) V vp
vml t0
are in a primary consolidation period and are not fitted by From eq. [15], te,(i+2) can be obtained as in eq. [10]. Noting
the creep function. i + 2 /pm,
that vm,(i +2) = vm,( i+1) + ( /V)ln(pm, i +1) and te,(i+2) =
t + te,(i+2) , the equivalent time te,(i+2) at point (i + 2) is then
obtained as

pm, i+ 2 p
vp
vml vm, i +1 + ln rvmo ln m, i + 2
V i +1
pm, V
pmo

[16] t e, ( i + 2 ) = t t 0 + t 0 exp
o i+ 2 i+ 2
vp pm, pm,

vml vm, i +1 + ln r
ln

vmo
V V i +1
pm, V pmo

where t is the test duration for this load increment. The method discussed above is rigorous. Yin and Graham
From eq. [9], the volume strain vm,( i+2 ) at point (i + 2) (1994, 1999) pointed out that /V is almost the same as the
can be given as slope of the line for normally consolidated specimens used
in the modified Cam-Clay model.
pm, i+ 2
[17] vm, ( i + 2 ) = rvmo+ ln
V
pmo Failure shape function for loading surface
o t 0 + t e, ( i + 2 ) in plane
ln
V t0
+ It is generally believed that the Mohr-Coulomb criterion
o t 0 + t e, ( i + 2 ) can properly express the failure of soil. However, the track
1+ ln
V vp
vml t0 of the failure surface in plane in the principal stress space
is an irregular hexagon. The surface exhibits corners or sin-
Using the load increment from pm, i +1 = 400 kPa to pm,
i+ 2 = gularities in a 3D generalization. To remove the singularity
800 kPa, vm,i+1 = 26.51%, vm,i+2 = 31.58%, and t = of the failure surface of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion, re-
2850 min, the parameters /V and pmo are obtained as 0.0793 searchers have proposed a number of functions (shape func-
and 15.2 kPa by solving eqs. [14], [16], and [17]. The pa- tion) for shaping the yield (failure) surface, such as the
rameters in eq. [12] are determined and listed in Table 2. Gudehus and Argyris function (Chen 1982), the Willam-

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166 Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002

Warnke function (Chen 1982), and others. Xin (1988) sug-
gested a smooth shape function, which is very close to the
Mohr-Coulomb surface.
To develop an EVP model for a general stress state, Xins
(1988) shape function for shaping the loading surface and
failure is adopted and is written as
[18] g ( ) =
K [21]
(2K 1) + (1 K) sin + 3 cos
6 6
where K is a parameter and can be expressed by K = (3
sin )/ (3 + sin ), in which is the effective friction angle of
soil; and is the stress load angle defined as
1 3 3 J3
[19] = cos 1
3 2J23/ 2
in which J2 and J3 are the second and third invariants of devi-
ator stress tensors and are given as J2 = sijsij /2 and J3 =
sijsjk ski /3, where sij is the deviator stress tensor and is defined
as sij = ij kk ij /3, where ij is the effective stress tensor.
Figure 3 shows a comparison between the Mohr-Coulomb
surface, Xins (1988) surface, and the Gudehus-Argyris sur-
face (using the friction angle of the HKMD, i.e., = 31.5).
Xins surface is closer to the Mohr-Coulomb surface than to
the Gudehus-Argyris surface. Furthermore, the Gudehus-
Argyris surface would be concave when > 22.7 (see
Chen 1982), but Xins surface is always convex.
Constitutive equation of the present 3D
EVP model
To derive the constitutive relation, the scaling function S
in eq. [3] must be determined. This section presents the ap-
proach used to determine S and then formulate the general
constitutive equation.
It has been recognized that the loading surface may not be
an elliptic surface passing through the original point with
q = p = 0 in the pq plane (Desai and Zhang 1987; Kutter
tests are different. Therefore, the authors suggest that is a
function of stress load angle and can be empirically deter-
mined by = [6 + sin(3 /2)]/5.
As shown in Fig. 4, f2 is the part of the loading surface
above the critical state line in the pq plane for the behav-
iour of heavily overconsolidated soil and is expressed by
n
1 q
F = f2 = p 1 + po
n 1 Mg ( ) p
where po is the mean effective stress value at which the
loading surface in eq. [21] intercepts the mean effective
stress p axis in the pq plane (see Fig. 4). In Fig. 4, the
light-face broken line is not part of the loading surface but
shows the physical significance of po . The n in eq. [21] is a
parameter which in this study is determined to be 6; this
value is effective at least for the HKMD and a kaolin clay.
Figure 4a shows the total stress path (TSP) and effective
stress path (ESP) from points A to B and to C of an iso-
tropically consolidated, undrained triaxial compression test
under a constant axial strain rate. Figure 4b shows the corre-
sponding state (pm , vm ) of points a, b, and c and the corre-
sponding state (p, v) of points A, B, and C.
Assuming that in a general stress state (p, q, ) or (1 , 2 ,
3, where 1 , 2 , and 3 are the major, intermediate, and mi-
nor principal effective stresses, respectively), there is a unique
relationship between vm , p, q, , and te. The contribution of
p, q, and to the volume strain vm is reflected by pm in
eq. [20]. Similar to the modified Cam-Clay model, in this
model the viscoplastic volume strain is taken as the hardening
parameter. Thus, it can be assumed that the viscoplastic vol-
ume strain rate & vp v in a general stress state (p, q, ) is equal
to the viscoplastic volume strain rate vp vm under the corre-
sponding isotropic stress condition (p = pm , q = 0), that is,
& vp & vp
v = vm , if (p, q) and (pm , 0) are on the same loading sur-
face as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, from eq. [11], we obtain
2
& vp o 1 + vm vm
r
[22] & vp
v = vm =
Vt 0 vml
vp

and Sathialingam 1992; Hibbitt, Karlsson and Sorensen, Inc.

1995). A new loading surface is proposed which consists of

two parts, f1 and f2, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, rvm vm V
exp

f1 is the part of the loading surface within the critical state

1 + vm vm o
r
line in the pq plane for normally or lightly over-
consolidated behaviour and is expressed by vp
vml
( p )2
2 p pm q2
[20] F = f1 = + 2 2 From eq. [3], the viscoplastic volume strain rate is expressed
2
(1 + ) 2
M g ( ) by & vp
v = S(F/p ). Considering eq. [22], the scaling func-
1 tion S can be determined by
+ )2 = 0
( pm
(1 + ) 2 2
o r
[23] S= 1 + vm vp vm
where M = 6 sin /(3 sin ) is the slope of failure line in Vt 0 vml
the pq plane; pm is the mean effective stress value at
which the loading surface in eq. [20] intercepts the mean ef-
fective stress p axis in the pq plane, as shown in Fig. 4;
and is a parameter controlling shear shape in the pq rvm vm V 1
exp

1 + vm vm o F
plane. After investigating the results of some undrained r
compression and extension triaxial tests, the authors have p
vp
found that the stress paths for compression and extension vml
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Yin et al. 167

where F/p takes an absolute value for consideration of Fig. 5. Comparison between the measured and predicted results
overconsolidated soil. This will not affect the behaviour of for constant strain rate shear tests on the HKMD under compres-
normally consolidated soil because F/p is always positive sion and extension tests: (a) axial strain a versus deviator stress
for normally consolidated soil. Substituting eq. [23] into q, normalized with respect to consolidation pressure 0 ; and
eq. [3] leads to (b) normalized effective stress paths.
2
o r
[24] & vp
ij = 1 + vm vp vm
Vt 0 vml


rvm vm V 1 F
exp

1 + vm vm o F ij
r

vml
vp p

Lastly, considering eq. [2], the elastic viscoplastic constitu-
tive relationship in a general stress state is written as
2
1 & p& r
[25] & ij = sij + ij + o 1 + vm vp vm
2G 3V p Vt 0 vml


rvm vm V 1 F
exp

1 + vm vm o F ij
r

vml
vp p

where G is the shear modulus.
The parameter M in eqs. [20] and [21] is the same as that
in the modified Cam-Clay model and is related to the effec-
tive friction angle by M = (6 sin )/(3 sin ). The effec-
tive friction angle can be obtained from either consolidated
undrained or drained triaxial compression tests. For the
HKMD, M was determined to be 1.265 using = 41.5 ob-
tained from the consolidatedundrained triaxial tests (Yin
and Zhu 1999). The proposed EVP model has the following
, t0 , vp
10 parameters: /V, /V, o /V, rvmo , pmo vml , M, , and
n. All 10 parameters can be determined by a multistage iso- effective stress on the reference timeline and the current
tropic consolidation test and undrained (or drained) triaxial (initial) mean effective stress (under isotropic stressing con-
tests (at least one in the normally consolidated range for can take the value of the mean
ditions). In a triaxial test, pmi
and one in the heavily overconsolidated range for n). The effective stress before shearing. If we assume that the soil,
values of these parameters (except for ) for the HKMD are which is under a normally consolidated state, is in a state on
listed in Table 2. the reference timeline (for example, point A in Fig. 2), the
Before using eq. [25], F/p , F/ ij , and pm included in volume strain of the soil can then be given by vmi = rvmo +
F should be determined. They are presented in Appendix A. /pmo
( /V)ln(pmi ). For an overconsolidated soil, if the OCR
and current (initial) mean effective stress pmi are known,
Verification of the proposed 3D EVP model then the initial volume strain can be estimated by
using data from the HKMD
If we use the EVP model to simulate the stressstrain be- pmc
pmc
haviour of a soil, for example, a consolidatedundrained [26] vmi = rvmo + ln ln
V pmi
V pmo
triaxial test on the HKMD during the undrained shearing,
the volume strain at the beginning of the shearing would not
be zero. This nonzero value is called the initial volume strain
pmi
= rvmo+ ln + ln(OCR)
of the soil or specimen. V V
V pmo
When the EVP model is used to simulate the stressstrain
behaviour of a soil, it is important to properly estimate the
initial volume strain. According to Zhu (2000), the com- In this paper, eq. [26] is used to estimate the initial volume
monly used overconsolidation ratio can be defined as OCR = strain of soil. If rvm vm in eq. [25] is replaced by
/pmi
pmc , where pmc
and pmi are the preconsolidation mean vm = vm
r
vm , eq. [25] is then written as
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168
2
1 & p& Undrained triaxial shear tests combined with stress
[27] & ij = sij + ij + o 1 + vpvm
2G 3V p Vt 0 vml
vm V 1 F
exp
1 + vm o F ij
p Table 3.
vml
vp
If the initial volume strain is estimated by eq. [26], the pa-
rameters of the EVP model would be /V, /V, o /V, t0,
vp
vml , M, , , n, and OCR.
In this section, the proposed 3D EVP model in eq. [27] is
used to simulate a number of triaxial tests on different soils,
such as the HKMD and a mixture of kaolin and bentonite.
The predictions from the EVP model are compared with the
test results. The 3D EVP model was calibrated in the previ-
ous section using the test data from an isotropic consolida-
tion test and consolidated undrained tests on the HKMD.
The model parameters have been determined for the HKMD,
and the parameters presented in Table 2 are used directly for
the following simulations for the HKMD.
In this paper, the shear modulus used for the elastic defor-
mation of the HKMD is calculated from Ge = 1.5K e(1 2v)/
(1 + v), where the bulk modulus K e = p/( /V), and is
Poissons ratio, which can be estimated to be 0.3. The pa-
rameter is given by = [6 + sin(3 /2)]/5, where is
the stress load angle. The slope of the failure line (also
called the critical state (CS) line) in the q p plane is ex-
pressed as M = 6 sin (3 sin ), and n is a constant with
a value of 6.
When simulating a triaxial test, the triaxial specimen is as-
sumed to be an element of soil. Equation [27] can be integrated
numerically using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method.
Undrained triaxial tests sheared at various strain rates
To examine the capability of the proposed EVP model in
reflecting the behaviour of strain-rate effects of soils, six
consolidatedundrained triaxial tests on the HKMD were
simulated. Each specimen was first isotropically and nor-
mally consolidated for 36 h in a compression test and 48 h
in an extension test under an all-round consolidation pres-
sure 0 = 400 kPa. To ensure the saturation of the specimen,
a back-pressure of 200 kPa was imposed on each specimen.
After isotropic consolidation, the specimens were sheared at
different axial strain rates of 0.15, 1.5, and 15%/h under
compression and extension states. The plus sign denotes a
compression test, and the minus sign an extension test.
Figure 5 illustrates the comparison between the measured
and predicted results for constant strain rate shear tests on
the HKMD under both compression and extension states,
that is, deviator stress q = 1 3, normalized with respect
to consolidation pressure 0, versus axial strain a (Fig. 5a),
and normalized effective stress paths (Fig. 5b). In general,
there was good agreement between the model predictions
and the measured results for both the compression tests and
the extension tests. Some discrepancies were noted for the
effective stress paths and stressstrain in extension.
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relaxation
A step-changed, constant strain rate, undrained triaxial
compression test combined with stress relaxation is simu-
lated in this paper to verify the capability of the model for
describing the stress relaxation behaviour. In this test, the ef-
fective cell pressure on the specimen was 300 kPa with a
back-pressure of 200 kPa. The test procedure is presented in
Figure 6 compares the simulated results with test results for
the step-changed, constant strain rate test on the HKMD in
terms of deviator stress q versus axial strain a (Fig. 6a),
pore-water pressure u versus axial strain (Fig. 6b), and effec-
tive stress paths (Fig. 6c). Figure 6 shows that the predictions
are close to the measured values, although some discrepan-
cies are observed. Noting that the test loading history was
complicated, the predictions are considered to be good.
Undrained triaxial tests on overconsolidated HKMD
A number of consolidatedundrained (CIU) triaxial com-
pression and extension tests under different OCRs of 1, 2, 4,
and 8 were performed on the HKMD. In this section, eight
tests with axial strain rates of 1.5%/h are used to verify the
ability of the model to predict the stressstrain behaviour of
overconsolidated soils. The preshear initial isotropic consoli-
dation pressure pmi = 400 kPa for the tests with OCR = 1, but
= 100 kPa for the tests with OCR = 2, 4, and 8. Thus for
pmi
tests with OCR = 1, 2, 4, and 8, the preconsolidation pres-
sures pc = c were 400, 200, 400, and 800 kPa, respectively.
Figure 7a compares the measured and predicted relation-
ships of deviator stress versus axial strain for the HKMD
with different OCRs. Figure 7b presents the effective stress
paths normalized with respect to the preconsolidation pres-
sure c . Both the stressstrain relationship and the effective
stress paths show good agreement between the measured and
predicted results overall.
Undrained triaxial creep tests
Three consolidatedundrained triaxial compression creep
tests on remoulded HKMD were conducted by Zhu (2000).
For the three specimens of HKMD, the consolidation pres-
sure of each specimen was 400 kPa, and the instantly ap-
plied deviator stresses were 134, 189, and 243 kPa. Before
the application of the deviator stresses, the specimens were
normally and isotropically consolidated.
Figure 8 compares the measured and predicted results for
the undrained triaxial creep tests on the HKMD. Figure 8a
shows the variation of axial strain with time, and Fig. 8b
illustrates the development of pore-water pressure with time
during the undrained creep. The agreement between the mea-
sured and predicted results is better at lower deviator stresses.
The feature of accelerating creep is well simulated, although
not matching the data points when approaching failure.
Verification using data from tests on an
overconsolidated mixture of kaolin and
bentonite
To further verify the proposed new 3D EVP model, four
consolidatedundrained (CIU) triaxial compression tests on
a mixture of kaolin and bentonite with an initial void ratio e0
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Table 3. Step-changed constant strain rate compression test combined with relaxation.
Stage: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Test: Shear Unload Reload Relax Shear Relax Shear Relax
& a (%/h) 6.00 6.00 6.00 0 0.60 0 0.06 0
t (min) 29 7 20 2540 232 1320 830 705

Fig. 6. Comparison between the measured and predicted results
for step-changed constant rate undrained triaxial tests combined
with stress relaxation on Hong Kong marine deposits: (a) axial
strain a versus deviator stress q, (b) axial strain a versus pore-
water pressure u, and (c) effective stress paths.
Fig. 7. Comparison between measured and predicted results of
consolidatedundrained (CIU) tests for overconsolidated Hong
Kong marine deposits: (a) axial strain a versus deviator stress
q, and (b) effective stress paths normalized with respect to
preconsolidation pressure c . OCR, overconsolidation ratio.

are simulated. The tests were carried out by Herrmann et al.
(1981). The specimens tested were overconsolidated and had
OCRs of 1, 1.3, 2, and 6. The preconsolidation pressure of
each specimen was 392 kPa, and the axial strain rate used
for simulation during shear was 0.6%/h.
According to Yin and Graham (1999), the EVP model
parameters can be estimated from conventional parameters.
Kutter and Sathialingam (1992) and Dafalias and Herrmann
(1986) presented values of conventional parameters as listed
in Table 4. Using these parameters, EVP model parameters
are estimated and listed in Table 4.
Figure 9 presents both the test results (after Kutter and
Sathialingam 1992; Dafalias and Herrmann 1986) and the
simulated results for the CIU tests on the mixture of kaolin
and bentonite. The relationship of pore-water pressure ver-
sus axial strain shows good agreement between the mea-
sured and predicted results, as shown in Fig. 9b. For the
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170 Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002

Fig. 8. Comparison between measured and predicted results of
undrained creep tests for Hong Kong marine deposits: (a) axial
strain a versus time, and (b) pore-water pressure u versus time.
Fig. 9. Comparison between measured and predicted results of
CIU tests on a mixture of kaolin and bentonite: (a) axial strain
a versus deviator stress q, (b) axial strain versus pore-water
pressure u, and (c) effective stress paths (data from Dafalias and
Herrmann 1986).

Table 4. Parameters of the 3D EVP model for a mixture of ka-

olin and bentonite.
EVP model parameters Related conventional parameters
/V = 0.012 = 0.018
/V = 0.093 = 0.151
o /V = 0.0037 C = 0.0139
t0 = 1440 min
vp
vml = 0.383
= 31.1 = 31.1
n=6
= 0.3
Note: Values of the conventional parameters are taken from Kutter and
Sathialingam (1992) and Dafalias and Herrmann (1986); V = 1 + e0.
iour of both normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils.
This model is established for a general stress state and is
relationship between deviator stress versus axial strain shown more general than the original EVP model of Yin (1990) and
in Fig. 9a and effective stress paths in Fig. 9c, some discrep- Yin and Graham (1999).
ancy is observed. The proposed EVP model has a total of 10 parameters:
, t0, vp
/V, /V, o /V, rvmo, pmo vml , M, n, and . A method
Summary and conclusions for determining the parameters has been proposed and dem-
onstrated using the data from tests on the HKMD. All 10 pa-
A new 3D elastic viscoplastic model is presented in this rameters can be determined by a multistage isotropic
paper by incorporating a new loading surface and a nonlin- consolidation test and undrained (or drained) triaxial tests.
ear function for the creep (delayed) strain. The new EVP All these parameters will have a certain influence on the
model can consider the time-dependent stressstrain behav- time-dependent stressstrain behaviour. Yin (1990) and Yin

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Yin et al.
and Graham (1994) did a sensitivity analysis on the creep
parameter /V and found that it has a strong influence on
the strain-rate effects, relaxation, etc. In particular, when the
creep parameter /V is zero, the 1D EVP model (Yin and
Graham 1994) becomes a 1D elasticplastic model and the
3D EVP model (Yin and Graham 1999) becomes a 3D elas-
ticplastic model (i.e., the modified Cam-Clay model).
The proposed EVP model is used to predict a number of
triaxial tests on two different soils, namely Hong Kong ma-
rine deposits (clay) and a mixture of kaolin and bentonite.
The tests have a wide range of types, including constant
strain rate, CIU tests in compression and extension, relax-
ation tests, and undrained constant-q creep tests. The CIU
tests include tests on specimens with different OCRs. The
proposed model has been used to simulate all these tests and
the simulated results are compared with the measured re-
sults. The comparisons show that the model can properly de-
scribe the time-dependent stressstrain behaviour of soils in
triaxial states under both normally and overconsolidated
states. The model predictive capability under general loading
conditions needs further validation.
Acknowledgements
Financial support from a RGC grant (PolyU 5065/97E) of
the University Grants Committee of the Hong Kong SAR
Government of China and the Hong Kong Polytechnic Uni-
versity is acknowledged.
References
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172 Can. Geotech. J. Vol. 39, 2002

national Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geo- vmi initial volume strain
mechanics, 24: 491508. evm volume strain on the instant timeline
Zhu, J.G., Yin, J.-H., and Luk, S.T. 1999. Time-dependent stress evmo volume strain at pm = pu
strain behavior of soft Hong Kong marine deposits. Geotechnical vmr
reference timeline
Testing Journal, ASTM, 22(2): 118126. vmo
r
EVP model parameter
Zienkiewicz, O.C., and Cormeau, I.C. 1974. Visco-plasticity, plastic- vp
vm viscoplastic creep strain
ity and creep in elastic solids: a unified numerical solution vp
vml EVP model parameter
approach. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical a function
Methods in Geomechanics, 8(2): 821845. effective friction angle
fluidity parameter
slope of swelling compression line in vm ln pm
List of symbols plane
Cijkl fourth-order compliance tensor plane
slope of virgin compression line in vm ln pm
e, e0 void ratio, initial void ratio Poissons ratio
f1, f2 function of loading surface c preconsolidation pressure
F function of loading surface ij stress tensor
g() shape function for shaping the loading surface in ij effective stress tensor
plane 0 consolidation pressure
G shear modulus 1 , 2 , major, intermediate, and minor principal effective
Ge elastic shear modulus 3 stresses, respectively
Gs specific gravity stress load angle
Ip plastic index
J2, J3 the second and third invariants of deviator stress ten- Appendix A
sors
K a parameter Determination of F/ p
Ke elastic bulk modulus The term F/p in eq. [25] can be determined from
m subscript for expressing the isotropic stress state eq. [20] or eq. [21] as
M slope of failure line in qp plane
F 2p
2 pm
n parameter [A1] = 2
p mean effective stress p (1 + ) 2
pc preconsolidation mean effective stress
pm mean effective stress under isotropic stressing when q/p < Mg(), or

pmc preconsolidation mean effective stress on the reference
F q
timeline [A2] = 1

pmi current (initial) mean effective stress under isotropic p Mg ( ) p
stressing

pmo model parameter when q/p > Mg().
po initial mean effective stress
pu reference mean effective stress Determination of pm
q generalized deviator stress is given by the following equations. When
In eq. [25], pm
Q viscoplastic potential function can be given directly from eq. [20] by
q/p < Mg(), pm
sij deviator stress tensor
= p+
q2 q
S scaling function for viscoplastic strain rates [A3] pm = 1 and < Mg ( )
t time M g (2) p
2 p
te equivalent time
t0 curve-fitting parameter related to the choice of refer- and
ence timeline
t test duration
=
p q2
[A4] pm ( p ) 2 (1 2 ) 2 2
u pore-water pressure 1 1 M g ( )
V specific volume, volume occupied by unit volume of
solids q
1 and < Mg ( )
wl liquid limit p
wp plastic limit
EVP model parameter For the case of q/p > Mg() for overconsolidated soil pm can
o creep parameter be derived as follows using eqs. [20] and [21].
ij Knonecker delta According to the critical state theory, the critical state line
a axial strain should pass through the point (for example, point D in
, v strain, volume strain Fig. 4a) on a loading surface in the p q plane. On this
ij strain tensor point, there should be F/p = 0 from the loading surface.
vc volume strain corresponding to pc Point D should lie on f1 and f2. Thus, point D should be the
vm volume strain corresponding to mean effective stress intersection of the critical state line with the loading surface

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Yin et al. 173

of f2, and it can be expressed as p = [(n 1)/n]po , and q = F 2q

[A9] = 2 2
[(n 1)/n]Mg() po . On the other hand, point D should also be q M g ( )
on the surface of f1. Substituting the p and q of point D into
eq. [20] gives F 2 ( p )2
[A10] =
n 1 2 n 1 3
[A5] =
pm po po
(1 )n 1 n
3 + 2 2 (1 + 2 ) 2
+ 2 p pm ( pm )
(1 + )
2 3
(1 + ) 2 3
where po can be determined from eq. [21]. Substituting po
in the case of q/p > Mg() for both = 1
into eq. [A5], pm 3
[A11] = cos 3
and 1 is given by 5 2

n F 2q 2
= 2 3
1 q
[A12]
=
(1 + )(n 1) g ( )
[A6] pm p 1 + M g ( )
n n 1 Mg ( ) p
For eq. [21], F/q, F/, and F/g() are written as follows:
q = 1 F n q n1
> Mg ( ) for [A13] =
p or 1 q n 1 M g (n) ( p ) n1
n

F
In this study, n = 6 is used, and then eq. [A6] can be written [A14] =0
as
F n qn

6 [A15] = n +1
(1 + )5 1 q g ( ) n 1 M g ( ) ( p ) n1
n
[A7] =
pm p 1 +
6 5 Mg ( ) p
From eq. [18],
q = 1 g ( )
> Mg ( ) for [A16]
p or 1

K(1 K) cos 3 sin
Determination of F/ ij 6 6
Using eqs. [20] and [21], F/ ij in eq. [25] can be de- = 2
rived. In eqs. [20] and [21], F is a function of p, q, and ,
(2K 1) + (1 K) sin + 3 cos
thus we have 6 6

F F p F q F p 1
[A8] = + + [A17] = ij
ij p ij q ij ij ij 3

F g ( ) q 3
+ [A18] = ( ij p ij )

ij 2q
g ( ) ij
3 3J3 2
where F/p has been determined in eq. [25]. For eq. [20], [A19] = sij sik skj + J2 ij
F/q, F/, and F/g() are expressed as follows: ij 4 J 32 27J 23 2 J2 3

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