A Stochastic Model of Creep

A model of creep in solids is developed in which flow units, identified with dislocation segments in crystals, overcome energy barriers u1 ≦ u ≦ u2 with the aid of thermal activation. Each successful transition of a unit increases or decreases the barrier for the subsequent jump by a stress‐dependent increment. The continuity equation of the Markov process defined by the premise yields activation energy distributions as particular solutions. The distributions are used to derive relations for logarithmic, power‐law, and quasi‐viscous creep. The model delineates the scope of temperature cycling in the determination of activation energies.