A rheological power relation characterizing the cyclic degradation of plastic fine-grained soils

In this paper, published undrained cyclic triaxial tests results are discussed to characterize the cyclic degradation of plastic fine-grained soils. Results show that Cyclic Stress Ratios (CSRs) above a threshold value induce plastic shear strains to accumulate at a rate which is constant and dependent on the CSR itself. These features are typical of a viscous behavior. Based on rehological concepts, a power relation describing the cyclic degradation is derived. The exponent of the power equation is interpreted as a soil property related to the material viscosity.