[Objective] This study aims to investigate the relationship between shear wave velocity and physical-mechanical indices in saturated red clay. [Methods] Triaxial saturated specimens exhibiting varying dry densities were meticulously prepared. Utilizing a specifically modified triaxial bender element apparatus,consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial tests combined with shear wave velocity measurements were conducted on the red clay to identify the primary controlling factors influencing shear wave velocity characteristics within saturated red clay specimens. Subsequently,leveraging the quantitatively established relationships between shear wave velocity and physical-mechanical parameters,an evaluation model for shear wave velocity in saturated red clay was ultimately developed. [Results] (1) The shear wave velocity of saturated red clay generally exhibited an initial ascending phase followed by a progressive decline as dry density increased. Conversely,the shear wave velocity demonstrated a consistent monotonic enhancement in response to escalating confining pressure and effective stress. The interrelationships between these parameters (confining pressure and effective stress) and shear wave velocity were mathematically modeled employing power function formulations. Correlation coefficients exceed 0.92 (R²>0.92),indicating that a positively correlated power-law functional dependence governs the associations between confining pressure/effective stress and shear wave velocity. (2) Linear regression,quadratic polynomial approximation,power function formulation,and exponential function modeling were individually applied to analyze the experimental data. Power function modeling demonstrated higher precision than exponential function modeling,which in turn surpassed quadratic polynomial approximation,with linear regression exhibiting the lowest degree of accuracy. The quantitative interrelationship between shear modulus and effective stress conforms to a power-law functional dependence,thereby establishing a foundational theoretical framework essential for the systematic development of subsequent shear wave velocity predictive models. (3) A comprehensive evaluation model for shear wave velocity was ultimately constructed. This sophisticated model incorporated specific gravity,void ratio,and effective stress as its primary input variables. Implementation of this framework facilitated rigorous nonlinear surface regression analysis applied to experimental datasets,yielding a coefficient of determination of R²=0.91. Precisely 89.9% of the data points demonstrated relative errors between measured and calculated values below the 10% threshold,whereas the remaining 11.1% exhibited relative deviations exceeding 10%,which confirms the model’s elevated predictive accuracy. [Conclusion] A robust correlation exists between the shear wave velocity of saturated red clay and the physical properties of the soil. The evaluation of soil physical parameters through shear wave velocity measurements demonstrates practical feasibility. Concurrently,the developed shear wave velocity model establishes a quantitative relationship between the shear wave velocity of saturated red clay and its physical-mechanical parameters. This achievement provides a significant theoretical foundation for in-depth exploration of the monitoring and early-warning mechanisms for lateritic landslides.