Strain localization is a very important subject in rock and soil mechanics. To deal with strain localization problems
some regularization mechanism must be introduced. The main regularization mechanism includes: viscosity effect
Cosserat theory
non-local theory and gradient theory. The development of these kinds of regularization mechanism in strain localization problems is summarized systematically; and the disadvantages of these regularization mechanism are analyzed and discussed. Finally
some primary ideas about the trends of regularization mechanism in strain localization problems are put forward.