Investigation and modification of a CSSM-based elastic–thermoviscoplastic model for clay

Abstract This paper examines the accuracy of a new elastic-thermoviscoplastic (E-TVP) constitutive model developed based on Critical State Soil Mechanics. The model can be used for simulating the temperature dependent, and strain-rate dependent behavior of clay soils. The study compares the E-TVP behavior of a single soil element with previously published thermo-mechanical experimental results performed on saturated clay specimens at different temperatures. Suggestions regarding unloading and reloading at constant temperatures as well as thermal consolidation under constant loads are presented. A modification for unloading-reloading adds a new criterion to the volumetric thermoviscoplastic strain rate formulation. A physics-based term is added to the current specific volume of the soil to include the viscous effect induced by temperature change. These modifications improve the convergence of laboratory data and simulated model responses. Comparisons of results from an earlier E-TVP model and the newly improved model provide evidence of improved predictive capabilities.