Based on test of physio-mechanical properties of the overconsolidated soils near the depression cone of groundwater in Haikou City of Hainan Province

it is found that the seepage and deformation of the saturated overconsolidated clayey soils can take place under the additional stress. The lab test results show that the sustainable exploitation groundwater level can be determined by the deformation characteristics of the compressive curves. The research achievements are of great significance for the reasonable exploitation of groundwater and for the control and prevention of the land subsidence and relevant geological hazards.