The interface filler material (epoxy resin) used for reinforcing tunnel linings with steel plates exhibits time-dependent mechanical properties, commonly referred as creep behavior. The creep behavior of the filler material will significantly influence the long-term service performance of the reinforced tunnel, especially considering the design service life scale of 100 years. This paper presents an experimental test and mathematical modelling to illustrate the creep mechanical behavior of bond interfaces within shield tunnels reinforced with steel plates. It was observed that in the initial moments of stress application, the bond interface demonstrates an instantaneous response through elastic strain and on-set of creep deformation stage at maximum stress value. Three stages can be characterized in the creep deformation process: the decay creep stage, the steady-state creep stage and the accelerated creep stage. In the accelerated creep stage, the bond interface rapidly deteriorated after experiencing 90 % of the ultimate shear stress for 186 hours or 90 % of the ultimate tensile stress for 96 hours. Based on the fractional-order calculus theory and drawing inspiration from the modeling principles of classical component combination models, a constitutive equation that accurately characterizes the creep mechanical behavior of the bond interface between steel plates and concrete linings was formulated. The model parameters are inversely computed using the principle of least squares and the accuracy of this model is validated through a comparison with the results of the creep tests.
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