Abstract: Three stress-strain models, i.e. variable elastic, Cambridge and double hardening model proposed by the first author, have been used in the finite element analysis based on Biot's theory of soft ground under a railway embankment constructed on the beach of Xiamen, Fujian. It is concluded from the comparison of computed results with the observation that the best estimation of settlement and lateral displacement is obtained with the first author's model, while the Cambridge model underestimates settlement and the elastic model overestimates both settlement and lateral displacement.