Fluctuations and Scaling in Creep Deformation

The spatial fluctuations of deformation are studied in the creep in Andrade's power law and the logarithmic phases, using paper samples. Measurements by the digital image correlation technique show that the relative strength of the strain rate fluctuations increases with time, in both creep regimes. In the Andrade creep phase characterized by a power-law decay of the strain rate ϵₜ~t^-θ, with θ≈0.7, the fluctuations obey Δϵₜ~t^-γ, with γ≈0.5. The local deformation follows a data collapse appropriate for a phase transition. Similar behavior is found in a crystal plasticity model, with a jamming or yielding transition.