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Two stress relaxation constitutive models have been developed to predict the stress relaxation behavior for high-temperature bolting according to continuum damage mechanics, Kachanov–Robatnov (K–R), and Othman–Hayhurst (O–H) creep constitutive equations as well as stress relaxation strain equations. To validate the effectiveness of constitutive equations, the predicted results were compared with the experimental data of uniaxial isothermal stress relaxation tests using 1Cr10NiMoW2VNbN steel. The results show that the results obtained by the stress relaxation constitutive model based on the K–R creep equation overestimates the stress relaxation behavior, while the model deduced by the O–H creep equation is more in agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the stress relaxation damage predicted increases with the increment of initial stress significantly. These indicate that the new models can predict the stress relaxation behavior of high-temperature bolting well.

A new prediction model of stress relaxation from creep data in terms of average creep rate was established. An incremental calculation procedure has been further established to obtain stress relaxation data from creep data. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed conversion models, the predicted results were compared with those obtained by the previous continuum damage mechanics model as well as the stress relaxation experimental data using 1Cr10NiMoW2VNbN steel. Results showed that the creep-stress relaxation conversion model based on the average creep rate is better than that based on the continuum damage mechanics model because the former avoids the dispersion effect of fracture strain data, although the predicted results from the two models are both well in agreement with the experiment data.

With the development of ultrasupercritical power generation technology, creep strength of high-temperature materials should be considered for safety evaluation and engineering design. However, long-time creep testing should be conducted by traditional creep assessment methods. This paper established a high-efficient prediction method for steady creep strain rate and creep strength based on short-term relaxation tests. Equivalent stress relaxation time and equivalent stress relaxation rate were defined according to stress relaxation characteristics and the Maxwell equation. An accelerated creep prediction approach from short-term stress relaxation tests was proposed by defining the equivalent relaxation rate as the creep rate during the steady stage. Stress relaxation and creep tests using high-temperature material 1Cr10NiMoW2VNbN steel were performed to validate the proposed model. Results showed that the experimental data are in good agreement with those predicted solutions. This indicates that short-term stress relaxation tests can be used to predict long-term creep behavior conveniently and reliably, and the proposed method is suitable for creep strength design and creep life prediction of 9–12%Cr steel used in ultrasupercritical unit at 600 °C.

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