Abstract: The high pressure consolidation tests of soil samples indicate that the preconsolidation pressure is related to the sedimentary history of soil layers. The coefficients of consolidation and permeability decrease with the increase of pressure and tend to certain stable values under high pressure. When the pressure is less than the preconsolidation pressure, the coefficient of secondary consolidation has no relation to the pressure. When the pressure is larger than the preconsolidation pressure, the coefficient of secondary consolidation increases with pressure.