Abstract:The thixotropic recovery characteristics of marine clay in different regions of the South China Sea after remolding at different times were studied using a falling cone test. The recovery law of soil strength under the influence of water content, plasticity index, sensitivity and other factors is analyzed. The results show that the clays in different areas of the South China Sea exhibit obvious thixotropic recovery characteristics, which are significantly affected by various physical factors. Pay special attention to soil with high sensitivity to avoid damage caused by excessive loading during the initial installation period. In the range of water content w=30.2%-43.8%, plasticity index Ip=10.2%-19.7%, liquid index IL=0.56-1.17, and sensitivity St=4-7.9, the soil recovery characteristics increase, increase, and decrease with the increase of water content, plasticity index, liquid index, and sensitivity, respectively. When the soil mass is disturbed for 3 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 10 days, 30 days, and 60 days, it recovers to 20.0%, 22.4%, 25.1%, 28.6%, 32.6%, and 35.9% of the original soil strength on ave-rage.