Experimental study on creep properties of coral sand

The consolidated drainage shear tests on the coral sand with two kinds of relative densities under different confining pressures are performed, and its peak strength and deformation characteristics are obtained. Then, the creep tests on the samples under four stress levels as well as their particle analysis tests before and after the creep tests are carried out, and the creep properties and creep mechanism of coral sand are studied considering the influences of stress levels and confining pressures. The results show that the creep deformation of coral sand is caused by particle slip, dislocation, particle breakage, particle adjustment and reorganization. The creep deformation characteristics of coral sand are significantly affected by the confining pressures and stress levels, while the densities have no obvious influences. It is shown that the creep deformation of coral sand increases with the increase of confining pressures and stress levels. Finally, the variation law between the creep deformation of coral sand and the confining pressures and stress levels is established.