Abstract: Tension-shear failure is one common type of rock instability in rock slope engineering and rock tunneling engineering. Based on engineering geological conditions, this paper analyzes the conditions that generate tension-shear stress state. It summarizes the current experiment methods of rock tension-shear research, constitutive equations and failure criterions. It points out the shortcomings of rock tension-shear research. Finally, it proposes the following research trends: (1) develop the standard tension-shear testing equipment for special experimental studies on rock; (2) do tension and shear experiments on more types of rock and more quantities of rock to study constitutive equations and failure criterions of different rock types; (3) strengthen the numerical simulation work of rock tension-shear tests and confirmed by each other.