Creep Behavior Modeling in Geological Materials

The time‐dependent deformation (creep) of geological materials under constant or varying stresses is fundamental to the assessment and design of structures such as deep tunnels, energy storage caverns and foundations in rock masses. Geological materials exhibit three characteristic creep stages: an initial deceleration phase (primary), a constant‐rate phase (secondary) and an accelerating failure phase (tertiary). Constitutive approaches to modelling this response range from classical spring–dashpot assemblies (for example Maxwell, Kelvin–Voigt and Burgers models) to more advanced frameworks incorporating damage mechanics, fractional derivatives and viscoplastic flow rules. Numerical methods such as the discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM), often coupled with rate process theory (RPT), have been deployed to capture microstructural damage evolution and the onset of tertiary creep. Environmental factors including stress level, pore fluid pressure, temperature and cyclic loading further influence long‐term deformation. Accurate creep models support the prediction of long‐term strength, life–cycle maintenance of underground infrastructure and the safe operation of geological repositories and energy facilities.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored the effects of cyclic disturbance on sedimentary rocks, revealing that variations in disturbance amplitude and frequency markedly affect instantaneous deformation, creep‐decay time and steady‐state creep rates. Experimental results have been used to develop a nonlinear disturbance creep damage model based on an enhanced Burgers framework, with parameters calibrated via pattern‐search least‐squares optimisation. This work demonstrates the adaptability of mudstone to complex loading environments and offers a refined constitutive law for predicting long‐term stability in deep rock masses.

Creep Behavior Modeling in Geological Materials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in creep behavior modeling in geological materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Creep: Time‐dependent inelastic deformation under sustained stress.

Constitutive model: Mathematical description of material stress–strain behaviour over time.

Burgers model: Rheological model combining Maxwell and Kelvin–Voigt elements to represent primary, secondary and tertiary creep.

Discrete Element Method (DEM): Numerical technique simulating materials as assemblies of interacting particles.

Rate Process Theory (RPT): Framework linking thermally activated processes to time‐dependent deformation rates.

Fractional derivative model: Constitutive approach using non‐integer order derivatives to capture memory effects in creep.

References

1. DEM simulation of rock creep in tunnels using Rate Process Theory. Computers and Geotechnics (2022).
2. Mudstone creep experiment and nonlinear damage model study under cyclic disturbance load. Scientific Reports (2020).
3. Rock shear creep modelling: DEM – Rate process theory approach. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences (2023).
4. Creep Behavior of Rocks and Its Application to the Long-Term Stability of Deep Rock Tunnels. Applied Sciences (2022).