Taking Wuhan Yangtze River tunnel as the project background
the shear creep tests on dry and saturated sandstones are conducted. Based on the test results
the effect of water on shear creep characteristics of sandstone and its mechanism are elaborated from both shear creep strain and mechanical properties. The results show that water can promote the development of creep strain and accelerate creep strain rate of sandstone and also decrease its creep rupture strength. Therefore
the effect of water on the creep characteristics of sandstone can not be ignored in the engineering design and construction of important project.