Abstract: The design and fabrication of the model box is a very important aspect in the shaking table test for soilstructure interaction system, and plays a vital role in the accuracy of conclusions drawn from the simulation of the dynamic response of real soil layers and structures under seismic action. This paper summarizes and analyzes the structural forms, advantages and disadvantages of different types of model boxes used in the current shaking table model tests for soil-structure interaction, and discusses the key problems to be addressed in the design of different model boxes from three perspectives: excitation input effect, boundary effect and seismic wave input mode of the model box, as well as the improvements made by scholars so far on the basis of extant researches and in conjunction with characteristics of research projects. The paper finally analyzes the existing problems in model box research and proposes research directions in the future.