Creep behavior of soft clay subjected to artificial freeze–thaw from multiple-scale perspectives

Relying on the application of the artificial freezing method on subway tunnel construction, a series of triaxial creep tests were carried out to study the creep behavior changes of Shanghai soft clay subjected to artificial freeze–thaw action. On this basis, MIP tests were conducted with the soil samples before and after creep for comparison to investigate the microstructure changes. The results indicate that freeze–thawed soil produces smaller creep deformation and instantaneous deformation than the unfrozen soil. On a micro-level, during the creep process, the soil skeleton reaches a new structure balance with smaller pore volume and pore area. But the diameter of the maximum pore increases. The change rate of total intrusion volume is a pivotal micro-parameter to evaluate creep strain as there is a good linear relationship between them.