A study which focuses on the role of matric suction in the stress strength of roadbed unsaturated soil was presented. Two types of tests were described, namely, the suction controlled shear test and microstructure scanned test. For the former, four sub tests were conducted under different suction and net normal stress conditions. And two unsaturated soil samples that belong to the same type but with different water contents were scanned. In contrast with clay soil, the corresponding results show that the strength of silty sand soil does not always increase as matric suction increases or soil water content decreases; there exists a peak contributed by matric suction that acts on soil stress strength. The main reason for this kind of phenomenon is due to the typical microstructure of this type of soil and the various types of pore water retention. Additionally, the state of stress in which soil sample meets can also exerts important influence on soil strength.