<p>This study investigates the loading-wetting relationship of rockfill materials through oedometric and triaxial compression tests on two types of rockfill materials during the loading-wetting cycle. Despite significant differences in lithology, it was observed that the initial reloading phase following wetting in both oedometer and triaxial tests consistently involved a degree of plastic hardening, indicating a strong coupling effect between loading and wetting. The universality of this plastic hardening was further validated using a weakening model for rockfill materials. Notably, the hardening caused by the sliding, crushing and rearrangement of rock particles will always dominate, rather than the softening of rock particles. In terms of strength parameters, subsequent loading primarily influenced the cohesion of the material, while the internal friction angle remained largely unchanged. Finally, a conceptual model of the loading-wetting coupling was developed based on the elastic-plastic hardening theory. This model is straightforward and offers potential as a framework for expanding into a more comprehensive elastic-plastic constitutive model.</p>