Mitigation of creep deformations by preloading: laboratory study

The effect of applying preloading on the creep behaviour of a soft soil is studied by one-dimensional and drained triaxial creep tests. The results show that the application of preloading is very efficient, especially in the short term. Although oedometer test results, in the long term, showed an increase of the secondary compression index over time, the effectiveness of the preloading is maintained. These results are supported by drained triaxial creep tests, which show a reduction of creep strains when preloading is applied, increasing this effect over time. Moreover, the application of preloading does not affect the post-shear behaviour in terms of the ultimate strength, the effective stress path or the stiffness of the soil.