Changes in bound water and microstructure during consolidation creep of Guilin red clay

Creep of soils has a significant impact on mechanical properties. The one-dimensional consolidation creep test, thermal analysis test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) test, and mercury compression test were performed on Guilin red clay to study the changes in bound water and microstructure during the creep process of Guilin red clay. According to the results of the tests, only free and weakly bound water is discharged during the creep of Guilin red clay. When the consolidation pressure p is in the 12.5-400.0 kPa range, it is primarily the discharge of free water; when the consolidation pressure p is in the 800.0-1600.0 kPa range, the weakly bound water is converted to free water and discharged. After consolidation creep, the microstructure of soil changes from granular overhead contact structure to flat sheet-like stacking structure, with a decrease in the number of large and medium pores, an increase in the number of small and micro pores, and a decrease in the fractal dimension of pores. The creep process of red clay is the discharge of weakly bound water as well as the compression of large pores into small pores and the transition of soil particles from loose to dense.