In order to discuss the deformation characteristics of rock mass under different water levels changing between 145 and 175 meter in the Three Gorges reservoir area, an experiment was carried out for the studying sandstone deformation under the conditions of three different axial stresses(σ1=55.54,34.18,12.82 MPa), two cyclic pore pressures(Pmin=2 MPa,Pmax=6 MPa) and two kinds of constant time(the upper limit time and the lower limit time(ΔT=120,240 s).With ε1-T curves and p-T curves, as well as p-ε1  hysteresis curves, it was found that the curves were continuous sine wave-shaped curves.At first, the strain decreased with loading pore pressure.And then, it decreased to valley value with pore pressure at stable upper limit.Next, it increased with unloading pore pressure and increased to peak value with pore pressure at stable lower limit.The p-ε1  hysteresis curves of the sandstone had two typical stages.And one was caused by the closure of some primary pores and crack under increasing compaction, in which the strain did not form obviously hysteresis curves, and the other was pore pressure coupling stage which showed obvious hysteresis curve in form of the anti-clockwise from the dispersed to the dense.In addition, Δε-n curves in four sections (loading, unloading, steady upper limit, steady lower limit) of p-ε1 curves were compared and respectively ananlyzed in the condition of various axial stress and different constant time .