When estimating the mechanical and the hydro-mechanical properties of rock masses over long periods of time, the influence of the effective confining stress and the thermal conditions should be incorporated. In this research work, slide-hold-slide triaxial experiments have been conducted on sedimentary soft rock under drained conditions. The experiments have been conducted under three patterns of effective confining stress conditions and several thermal conditions. Consequently, the strength recovery could be observed in the slide-hold-slide process under room temperature conditions. However, it could not be clearly observed under heated conditions. © 2011 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.