Creep Deformation Characteristics of Weathered Granite

Abstract

Creep deformation characteristics of weathered granite were studied. While displacement of a structure on foundation rock is the main concern of foundation designers, the mechanical and especially the time dependent properties of weathered granite, which is being used recently as a foundation rock in Japan, have not been investigated so much. The test results show that the behavior of soft rock is very similar to that of soil. The time dependent deformation in soft rock can be predicted by a simple stress-strain-time function or rheological models. The time to failure under a sustained creep load was also discussed in relation to the strength of weathered granite.