A Material Stress–Strain–Time–Temperature Creep Model for the Analysis of Asphalt Cores in Embankment Dams

Asphalt cores in embankment dams are subject to loading and temperature changes during construction and reservoir impounding. Asphalt samples were drilled out from the Quxue Dam and Laojiaoxi Dam cores during construction. The diameter of the samples was 100 mm, and the length was about 450 mm. The samples were cut into specimens measuring 200 mm in length. Long-term triaxial creep tests were conducted on the specimens. The tests were run systematically at different radial confining stresses in the range of 0.5–1.5 MPa and at different temperatures in the range of 5–30 °C. More than 3.5 years were required to complete the tests. Based on the systematic test results and the application of the viscoelastic theory, a material stress–strain–time–temperature creep model (SSTTC) is proposed. The performance of asphalt cores in dams is discussed. The proposed SSTTC model may be applied in the numerical analysis of asphalt cores in dams during dam construction and reservoir impounding.