Abstract: The variation of matrix suction of Gansu loess with temperature is obtained under different compaction degrees and water contents by means of tensiometer, and the soil-water characteristics curves (SWCCs) of Chongqing clay under different compaction degrees are obtained by means of pressure plate apparatus. The test results show that ① under the same compaction degree and water content, the matrix suction linearly decreases approximately with the increase of temperature; ②under the same compaction degree and temperature, the matrix suction decreases with the increase of water content; ③ under the same temperature and water content, the compaction degree primarily affects the middle section of SWCCs , and the influence is greater while the compaction degree is higher, but the influence of the compaction degree on the matrix suction is low at the sections of SWCCs with high matrix suction and water content; ④ a linear formula fitting the linear section of SWCCs of Chongqing clay is provided, which includes compaction degree of soil, and it is similar to that for Gansu loess obtained by Professor Chen.