---
title: "Define creep in brief"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:property-creep"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/property-creep
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define creep in brief

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 1: Introduction to Civil Engineering Material

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2068 Chaitra, 1 marks; 2080 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2074 Asoj, 1 marks; 2072 Chaitra, 0.5 marks; 2076 Asoj, 0.5 marks; 2078 Kartik, 0.5 marks; 2066 Shrawan (old course), 2 marks (asked 8 times)
- Video: [Creep Phenomenon | Material Science | GATE | Mech Online Lectures | A. K. Saini](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTO2shUmv3g) — Mech Online Lectures (GATE, ESE, PSUs)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/property-creep
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-1

## Question

Define creep as a property of materials.

## Short answer

Creep is the slow, time‑dependent, permanent deformation under a constant load, even when stress is below yield strength. It is significant in concrete, steel at high temperature, and timber, causing long‑term deflections and loss of prestress.

## Answer

**Creep** is the slow, time-dependent and permanent deformation of a material under a constant load (stress) maintained for a long period, even when the stress is below the yield strength.

It is more important at high temperature and in materials such as concrete, steel in boilers, timber and lead. Creep strain adds to the elastic strain, so long-term deflections in beams and loss of prestress in prestressed concrete members are caused by it.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Creep is deformation that is
   A. sudden and recoverable
   B. caused by cyclic loading
   C. caused by an impact blow
   D. slow, time-dependent and permanent under constant long-term load
   Answer: D. Creep is slow time-dependent permanent deformation under constant load. (Key point: Definition)

2. Creep can occur even when the stress is
   A. below the yield strength
   B. above the ultimate strength only
   C. zero
   D. only above the fracture stress
   Answer: A. The answer states creep occurs even below yield strength. (Key point: Stress level)

3. Creep in prestressed concrete members causes
   A. gain of prestress
   B. loss of prestress
   C. increase in elastic modulus
   D. immediate fracture
   Answer: B. Creep strain adds to elastic strain, giving long-term deflection and loss of prestress. (Key point: Effect)

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