The research on mechanical effect of the chemical action of water-rock on deformation and failure of rocks involves two aspects of mechanics and chemistry. It is the cross between geochemistry and mechanics. In connection with the mechanism of effects of the chemical action of water-rock on deformation and failure of rocks, the research significance, the present state, research methods and the developments in this research domain are summarized systematically, and the content and methods of the research are analyzed. The research contents of the present state expounded in this paper include (1) the mechanism on the mechanical effects of the chemical action of water-rock on fracture mechanics and failure of rocks, (2) the macroscopic relations of the chemical action of water-rock and earthquakes and landslide stability, (3) experimental studies of water-rock interaction, (4) chemical damage mechanics and engineering geology geochemistry. Authors prospect the future of researching mechanical effect of the chemical action of water-rock on deformation and failure of rocks, and the research would be possessed of important position in studying engineering geology.