Abstract: In this paper, a new creep test method for loess is proposed based on improved one-dimensional consolidation instrument. Boreholes are made on cylindrical loess specimens (height 6.0 cm and diameter 6.18 cm) to facilitate artificial damage space. Creep tests are conducted under different vertical loads (125 kPa, 175 kPa, 225 kPa, and 275 kPa) at different moisture contents (23.8%, 20.1% and 15.5%). Reliable test data are obtained by loading separately, and the changes of loess creep stages are observed by placing a camera probe in the borehole. By using this method, three stages of creep, namely, attenuation, stable, and acceleration, can be obtained rather than only attenuation and stable stages due to the limit of ring knife in WG-type consolidation instrument. The proposed method is of simple operation, few influential factors, and strong reliability, hence can be used for directly observing the changes of loess creep.

Key words: loess creep test, one-dimensional consolidation apparatus, ring knife size, borehole diameter, strain rate