模型沙的特性对模型试验的可靠性和准确性有着重要影响，在实际的工程试验中，由于泥沙运动复杂性，要进行模拟的对象千差万别，所采用的模型沙也是多种多样的，因此，全面了解模型沙的性质是提高实体模型试验精度的关键技术之一。针对模型沙的物理特性、力学特性、运动特性等问题，系统分析、总结了前人的研究工作和所取得成果，同时讨论了需进一步研究的内容和方向。研究分析结果对实体模型试验有着指导性的意义。

Physical experiments ' reliability and veracity are largely influenced by the characteristics of model sand. So it ' s a key technology to improve the accuracy of physical experiments to comprehensively understand the model sand characteristics. For the complexity of the sediment transport and multifarious simulated objects, the selection of model sands are tremendous different in engineering application. In this paper, the previous achievements related to the characteristics of the model sand,such as physical properties, mechanics features and motion behavior,are systematically summarized, and related problems that need further study are discussed on the basis of the present research work, so as to provide guidance on the work of physical experiments.