In order to explore the effect of physical properties

structural conditions and stress level on the permeability characteristics

consolidation-permeability tests are adopted to investigate the change of permeability coefficient during compression of Taihu swamp undisturbed silty clays and remolded samples experienced different preconsolidation pressures. The experimental results show that the permeability coefficient decreases nonlinearly with increasing consolidation pressure

and the relationship between void ratio and permeability coefficient of undisturbed specimen is almost identical to that of the remolded specimen

which is not influenced by the inter-particle cementation and stress history. For the same soil

the magnitude of permeability coefficient is mainly governed by the size of soil pore. Furthermore

according to the analysis results of the variation mode of permeability coefficient during compression tests in this work and related literatures

the linear lg(1+e)-lgkv permeability model is presented

and the empirical relationship of the permeability index is modified by considering the liquid limit. Using the modified expression

the calculation results of the permeability index agree well with the tested values. This study has important significance in accurately analyzing the nonlinear consolidation behavior of saturated clay foundation subjected to time-dependent loading.