Implementation of a Modified Anisotropic Creep Model with structure for soft soils with the Use of COMSOL Physics Builder

Paper in proceeding, 2016

In this paper an anisotropic creep model including structure is implemented in COMSOL v.5.2 and is validated against different laboratory tests such as Constant Rate of Strain (CRS) and K0-consolidated undrained triaxial tests in both compression and extension. The implementation in COMSOL is conducted by using a fully coupled analysis between the Solid Mechanics node and the Darcy law node together with the user defined constitutive model created in the Physics Builder. In the Solid Mechanics the user defined model is called from the creep sub node and is this case the potential model is used where the rate multiplier and the creep (plastic) potential is given. The physics builder has been used to define the main body of the constitutive model such as the rotation law that determines the anisotropic behaviour of the model, the structure in the soil and both the rate multiplier and creep potential surface. The physics builder enables the user a possibility to create a constitutive model with a huge number of complex equation together with a graphical user interface. The implemented constitutive model is able to capture both the rate dependency, the anisotropy and the structure observed in soft soils such as clays.