Abstract: The p-y curve method is widely used in the design of pile foundation at home and abroad，but few researches have been concerned about the newly deposited silt in the Yellow Ｒiver delta． In order to study the mechanical features，tests of a model pile embedded in deposit of saturated silt were carried out under lateral loadings． The p-y curves at different depths were obtained on the basis of relationships among the moment of the pile shaft，the lateral displacement and the soil reaction force． The experimental p-y curves were compared with the p-y curves recommended by API and two existing silt p-y curves，respectively． The results indicated that the API recommended p-y curves was of relatively larger initial stiffness but smaller ultimate soil-pile interaction，while the two existing silt p-y curves was of relatively larger ultimate soil-pile interaction． Suggestions on the design of pile foundations in the Yellow River delta were proposed．