Abstract: Hydrochemical environment variation has significant influence on the mechanical properties of clays. The research status of the influence of hydrochemical environment variation on the mechanical properties of clays is presented from aspects of test analysis and theoretical description of physical mechanics test. Summaries and analysis show that the regularity and mechanism of hydrochemical environmental variation affecting on mechanical properties of bentonite containing mainly smectite have been understood clearly. However, for kaoline and common clays, systematic and complete tests and analysis are needed to reveal the regularities and interaction mechanisms. Besides, a new theory frame in consideration of the interaction between chemistry and mechanics is needed since the current soil mechanics theory is difficult to describe the influence of hydrochemical variation on mechanical properties of clay. Finally, scientific problems need to be solved urgently and the development prospects of this research direction are summarized.

Key words: rock and soil media, hydrochemical environment, chemo-mechanical coupling, mechanical response