Abstract: The cavity expansion theory has obvious applicability and importance in the theoretical analysis of in-situ testing. This paper mainly summarizes and expounds the relevant research results of the cavity expansion theory in the field of in-situ testing e.g. cone penetration test (CPT), piezocone penetration test (CPTU), pressuremeter test (PMT) in recent years, including the prediction of the cone penetration resistance, pore water pressure and bearing capacity of pile foundation based on CPT/PMT method, and the interpretation of relevant soil parameters (strength parameters such as undrained shear strength, internal friction angle; state parameters such as over-consolidation ratio and relative density). Finally, combined with the application case analysis of indoor and field tests, the limitations and shortcomings of the cavity expansion theory in in-situ testing are summarized accordingly, and it is pointed out that the theory needs to be further improved in the future.