In light of traditional instrument which can’t consider the factors of stress and temperature in the geotechnical engineering

a set of multifunctional soil-water characteristic curve test instrument is developed. Taking silt as study object

the soil-water characteristic curve tests under the effect of different consolidation stresses are carried out. The volume shrinkage deformation is also measured at the same time so as to amend miscount caused by volume change. It is found that the shrinkage is obvious in the drying process; and the smaller consolidation stress is

the more shrinkage is. But the soil volume remains unchanged in the wetting process. The consolidation stress has a great influence on the air-entry value and wetting (drying) rates. The air-entry value and wetting (drying) rates are greater when the consolidation stress increases. Finally

the mesoscopic tests under the action of different consolidation stresses are carried out for revealing its influence mechanism. The test results show that the large pore between the soil aggregate is compressed mainly by consolidation stress; but the pore between soil particles is less effect by it. The soil-water properties are related to the pore size and its distribution mode closely. The large pore has influence on the air-entry value and the distribution mode has influence on the wetting (drying) rates.