The soft clay stratum is prepared to use vacuum preload method in a large-scale model test tank. Model tests of a bucket foundation in the stratum are conducted to research its bearing capacity under different vertical static and horizontal cyclic loads. Research results show that the bearing capacity of the foundation under horizontal cyclic loads is less than that of under horizontal static load. The cyclic load and cycle-index which lead to foundation failure depend on vertical static load. The larger the vertical load is; the less the failure of horizontal cyclic load corresponding to the number of cycles is. According to model test condition

the simulation calculations are performed by using the cyclic strength relationship of the stratum and elasto-plastic FEM. Calculating results are in good agreement with test results

which show that the horizontal cyclic bearing capacity of the bucket foundation in the soft clay can be evaluated by using elasto-plastic FEM based on the cyclic strength relationship.