Determination of creep properties of frozen soils by means of the borehole stress relaxation test

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential use of the borehole stress relaxation test to determine the creep and strength properties of frozen soils in situ. The paper presents the results of a series of laboratory pressuremeter relaxation tests performed in frozen sand and compares three possible interpretation methods for deducing from the test results the creep and strength parameters of frozen soils. Key words : borehole relaxation, pressuremeter, in situ testing, creep and strength properties, frozen soil.