2001 Volume 16 Pages 155-158
To evaluate the effects of preloading and prestressing on deformation characteristics by cyclic loading for a long term performance of reinforced soil structures, a series of cyclic and creep tests were performed on small models. No distinct difference was found in the increasing rate with time of residual strain between a cyclic loading test and a constant pressure creep test at a preloading state. The amount of residual strain by cyclic loading at an unloaded state (i. e., prestressed state) decreased by applying in advance long-term constant pressure or cyclic loading at the preloaded condition. Applying cyclic loading at the preloading state was slightly more effective. When swelling was allowed to take place at a prestress state. the deformation during the subsequent cyclic loading test became larger.