Thixotropy of soil is, after softening by remolding, a process of time-dependent return to a harder state under constant water content and constant volume conditions. This paper presents a critical review of previous investigations on the thixotropy of soft clay. Thixotropic behavior is primarily a structural effect accompanied by the spontaneous dissipation of excess internal energy, and some microstructural observations provide a deeper insight into its mechanism. Mathematical theories and models to simulate thixotropic strength recovery of soil are introduced. Different test methods to evaluate the thixotropic behavior of soil are summarized. Correlations between the thixotropic behavior of soil and some basic indexes, such as water content, Atterberg limits, mineralogy, activity and salt concentration, are described. Some remarks on future improvement for thixotropy of soil are also provided based on the results of up-to-date research.

土壤的触变性是通过重塑使其软化后，在恒定的含水量和恒定的体积条件下，随时间返回至较硬状态的过程。本文对以前有关软黏土触变性的研究进行了批判性综述。触变行为主要是伴随着多余内部能量的自发消散的结构效应，一些微观结构观察提供了对其机理的更深入了解。介绍了模拟土壤触变性强度恢复的数学理论和模型。总结了评估土壤触变性的不同测试方法。描述了土壤的触变行为与一些基本指标之间的相关性，例如水含量，阿特伯格限度，矿物学，活性和盐浓度。